At least 27 killed in fire at packed Bangkok pub

A huge fire has engulfed a pub in Bangkok, killing at least 27 people before firefighters brought the blaze under control.

Footage shared online by first responders shows a huge blaze raging and plumes of smoke coming out of the front door of the Na Ladprao pub in the northern part of the Thai capital on Monday, reports The Associated Press.

People were seen trying to flee as thick black smoke billowed into the sky. Rescuers said the fire was reported around midnight.

Thailand Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told the BBC at the scene that 27 people died and that several of the injured have been taken to the hospital. He said the cause of the fire was under investigation.

“He said that there was a fire at the cut-out switch, and after that things happened very quickly. There was blasting and everybody tried to flee from the smoke and flames.

“Many of them were not able to make their way out because they went to the back of the building and tried to hide themselves from the smoke and flames in the toilet, and that’s where we found most of the bodies.”

Local media is reporting the blaze broke out just after 12am when the bar was full of customers.

The fire instantly killed 27 people and injured 18 others, according to the Bangkok Post.

The dead victims consisted of nine men and 18 women.

Emergency services took 18 injured people to hospitals, with eight of them in serious condition.

Anutin said a musician who was performing at the pub told him that he saw smoke coming out of a circuit breaker near the stage before the power went out, then an explosion was heard and thick smoke quickly filled the venue.

Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt told the Bangkok Post the flames spread rapidly on decorations held on the ceiling.

The pub - known locally as Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao - is a well-known restaurant and entertainment venue in the district, according to Thai newspaper Daily News.

Firefighters took about half an hour to bring the fire under control. Photos of the aftermath show charred tables and chairs, and the damaged interior of the pub.

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The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says it is working with Thai authorities to find out if any Australians were impacted.

“Australians will be shocked to hear of the terrible loss of life in the restaurant fire in Bangkok. Our sincere condolences are with all those affected,” a DFAT spokesperson said.

“Australian officials are making urgent enquiries with local authorities to determine whether any Australians were affected.

“We stand ready to provide consular assistance.”

Thailand has experienced similar tragedies in the past.

In 2022, 14 people were killed by a fire at a music pub in the eastern part of the country.

And more than a decade before that, 66 people were killed and more than 200 injured in a fire during a January 1, 2009 New Year’s Eve celebration at the Santika nightclub in Thailand’s capital.

That blaze was apparently sparked by an indoor fireworks display.