Deadly cafe fire in Bangkok kills at least 27, dozens injured

At least 27 people died and dozens were injured in a devastating fire that erupted at a cafe in Bangkok's Chatuchak district early Monday morning, July 13, 2026. Reuters reports that at least 22 individuals are in critical condition, and authorities anticipate the death toll will climb.

The blaze broke out overnight Sunday into Monday, rapidly consuming the cafe in a massive inferno. Online footage captured by emergency responders shows flames erupting from the cafe's front entrance as people attempted to escape the rapidly spreading fire.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who quickly arrived at the scene, described the incident as an explosion. He noted that many victims were found in the building's rear restrooms, where they had apparently fled to escape the smoke and flames. Of the identified victims so far, 17 are women and eight are men.

Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control within about half an hour. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. It remains unclear whether any foreign tourists were among the victims.

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Many of them could not get out because they had gone to the back of the building to try to hide in the toilets from the smoke and the flames. That's where we found the largest number of victims.