Bangkok eatery fire kills at least 27

PUBLISHED : 13 Jul 2026 at 04:40

UPDATED : 13 Jul 2026 at 09:37

At least 27 people were killed and 63 others were injured when a fire broke out at an eatery in Chatuchak district, Bangkok, just before Monday morning.

The tragedy occurred at Na Ladprao eatery on Lat Phrao Road near Soi Lat Phrao 1 Road at 11.57pm Saturday when many people were inside. Firefighters brought the blaze under control in about half an hour, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM).

The fire killed 27 people and injured 63 others. The dead victims comprised nine men and 18 women. Of the 63 injured, 22 were seriously wounded. The injured victims were sent to 16 hospitals.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt and DDPM director-general Teerapat Kachamat were among senior officials at the scene.

Mr Anutin, also the interior minister, said most fatalities resulted from smoke inhalation. He quoted musicians at the eatery as saying that the fire started at a circuit breaker on the stage in the restaurant, followed by a blackout and an explosion.

Mr Chadchart said that flames spread rapidly through decorations on the ceiling of the eatery and toxic smoke from the burning decorative materials harmed victims.

He said that the eatery was licensed with music performances allowed inside and officials concerned had inspected it in April. It was operated in a one-storey concrete building.

The Bangkok governor quoted waiters as saying that there were about 300 customers before the fire. Normally about 600-700 people visited the place each night.

According to the governor, the fire spread through the ceiling towards the front entrance of the eatery. That prompted customers to rush to the back of the place where there were fire exits. Some customers got lost and rushed into toilets instead. Many victims passed out in the toilets and also in front of fire exits and blocked the escape of other customers.

Suriyachai Rawiwan, disaster prevention and mitigation director of Bangkok, said there were fire exits at the rear of the venue and victims apparently rushed to toilets at the back of the premises where rescuers had difficulty reaching them.

The identification of the bodies is continuing.

Initially six dead victims comprising three men and three women were identified. They were Apinan Pengsri, Pisanu Taengsopha, Suwitcha Sirisalung, Nipaporn Jaemjaeng, Acharaporn Sutthisin and Kanoktip Srisuk.

A person is seen escaping the fire. (Supplied photo)

Bodies of victims at the fire scene. (Supplied photo)