What Happened at Na Ladprao
The Na Ladprao pub in Bangkok's Chatuchak district was packed on a Sunday night when a musician on stage noticed smoke rising from an electrical circuit breaker near the performance area. The power went out, then an explosion shook the room and dense smoke poured through the venue. Many patrons ran toward the back of the building, where the bathrooms are located, and found no fire exit. Firefighters arrived and needed 35 minutes to bring the blaze under control. By that point the fire had largely burned through. Rows of bodies were laid outside the building as dawn broke on 13 July. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul addressed the media at the scene. He confirmed 27 deaths and said the cause remains under investigation.
Dead
27 confirmed
Critically injured
22
Total hospitalised
at least 112
Time fire reported
23:57 local (16:57 UTC)
Time fire controlled
approximately 00:30 the following day (35 minutes)
Apparent trigger
electrical short at circuit breaker near stage
Fatal bottleneck
no fire exits near rear restrooms where most died
35minutes for firefighters to bring the blaze under control
The musician who survived told the Prime Minister he saw smoke at the circuit breaker before the power failed. Thai authorities have not yet ruled on the official cause, but investigators are focusing on the electrical installation behind the stage.
Most of the fatalities were found clustered near the rear bathrooms. Survivor accounts describe a rush toward the back of the venue after smoke cut visibility at the main entrance. There were no fire exits in that section of the building.
Thailand's Fire Prevention and Control Act requires venues over a certain capacity to hold valid operating licences, maintain clear emergency exits, and install fire suppression systems. The Mountain B pub in 2022 lacked a licence entirely. Whether Na Ladprao held current approvals for its electrical systems and exit routes is part of the active investigation.
"Twenty-seven people have died. This is a terrible night for Bangkok and for Thailand. We will find out what caused this and we will act on it.
"Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul
What should a traveler do the moment they enter any unfamiliar venue abroad? \
Share the one safety habit you now carry from reading about incidents like this.
