By Reuters and published by Yahoo!News
AN EXPLOSIVE fire at a popular pub in Bangkok has killed 27 people, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and other officials said this morning (July 13), in one of the deadliest such incidents in the tourism hub in recent years.
“We have recovered 27 bodies, others are being sent to hospital,” said Anutin, who visited the site of the fire that broke out at 11.57 p.m. on Sunday.
Based on survivor accounts, he said the pub in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district rapidly filled with smoke after a fire broke out, forcing many to run to the back of the venue near the bathrooms, but there were no fire escapes.
Another 63 people injured in the incident have been hospitalised, said Suriyachai Rawiwan, director of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.
“The number of deaths has stabilised at 27,” he told Reuters.
By the time the rescue workers arrived at the scene of the accident, the fire that witnesses said ignited at the front of the venue’s stage had already burned through the area, according to Suriyachai.
“We have to wait for the police to investigate,” he added.
Smoke, then an explosion and fire
In the early hours of the morning, emergency personnel remained at Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub as bodies were prepared for transport and forensic teams collected evidence to help identify the victims.
Numbered bodies lay in two rows awaiting removal, surrounded by a large number of rescue workers. Firefighters stood near the pub’s entrance, its facade scorched and blackened by the blaze.
A band member at the venue told local media that smoke suddenly filled the room after the lights briefly went out, followed by a massive explosion and fire.
“After the explosion I didn’t see anybody trying to run, most of them were on the floor asking for help,” he told reporters, his head still bandaged, without giving his name.
“I ran towards the door from the stage, about five metres. It was dark and there was smoke, no oxygen.”
CAPTIONS:
Top and first insert: Members of emergency services work outside a pub where a deadly fire broke out before dawn today, July 13, 2026. Photo REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa and published by Yahoo!News
Front Page: Members of emergency personnel transfer the body of a deceased person at the site of a deadly fire at a pub today, July 13, 2026. Photo – REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa and published by Yahoo!News
(Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat, Kitiphong Thaichareon and Chayut Setboonsarng in Bangkok and Bipasha Dey in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Lucy Cramer and Chalinee Thirasupa; Writing by Devjyot Ghoshal; Editing by Nia Williams and Andrea Ricci)
Also read:
Wong Wian Yai subway tunnel repairs due to be completed in 12 days’ time
People’s leader lauds former Shinawatra family PMs meeting Asean leaders while slamming Anutin
Thaksin holds talks on economy with Indonesian leader
Anutin, Anwar Ibrahim open key road across the border
Executive decree for 400 billion baht borrowed funding judged constitutional
No hush-hush meet between Anutin and Thaksin/Paetongtarn in KL?
Interior undersecretary to fire officials involved in exam cheating: PM
Three-finger activists acquitted of lese majeste, mass seduction charges
Swiss fans salute team after World Cup run ends in defeat by Argentina
Bellingham double guides England to World Cup semis in extra-time win over Norway
