Bangkok fire victims were found trapped in windowless bathrooms

Key Points:

• A fire at the Rong Beer Na Ladprao bar in Bangkok killed at least 27 people, with most victims found trapped in windowless bathrooms likely seeking to escape the flames; 25 others remain in critical condition.
• Investigations revealed possible blocked or locked exits, and authorities are examining whether flammable materials and faulty electrical wiring near the stage caused the fire, which reportedly started with smoke from a circuit breaker.
• The blaze, the deadliest in Bangkok in 17 years, caused 73 injuries and led to emergency responses including prayers by Buddhist monks and support for families identifying victims at the forensic institute.
• Survivors described sudden power outages and thick smoke that made evacuation difficult, while the bar owner is seriously injured and cooperating with investigators.
• This tragedy follows previous deadly nightclub fires in Thailand, including a 2009 blaze at Santika nightclub that killed 67 people and a 2022 fire that killed 14.