At least 33 people, including four members of the band Tossakan, died following the devastating fire on July 12 at the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao bar in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district.
According to CH7 News, the fire broke out at a bar in Bangkok’s Chatuchak neighborhood on July 12. Witnesses said they heard a loud explosion before flames erupted from an area near the stage. Thick black smoke quickly engulfed the venue within seconds, sending hundreds of patrons running for the exits. Firefighters managed to put out the fire after about 30 minutes.
By July 16, the death toll had risen to 33, with more than 70 injured. Most of the victims died from smoke inhalation, while others died from severe burns after receiving medical treatment.
Tossakan, an 11-member band that regularly performed at the venue every Sunday evening, confirmed that four of its members lost their lives: singer Breeze, drummer Nattapat Thamnita, keyboardist Pruttipong Phutmon and singer Thitiwat Kaewkanha.
“We have lost members of the Tossakan family. We sincerely thank everyone for their encouragement and prayers,” the band said in a statement, also extending its condolences to the families of all the other victims.
According to CH7 News, Breeze was the first band member confirmed dead. She was pronounced dead at the scene after rescue crews reached the stage area. The news shocked many colleagues, as she had shared the photos a few hours earlier while preparing for the show.
Drummer Nattapat Thamnita was rushed to hospital in critical condition. Khaosod said he suffered extensive burns, severe lung damage from smoke inhalation, multiple broken ribs and required life support in the intensive care unit. Despite doctors’ efforts for several days, he later died of multiple organ failure.
Initially, other musicians and family members believed that keyboardist Pruttipong Phutmon had escaped and was receiving treatment at a hospital. However, after authorities conducted a thorough search of the premises, his body was discovered inside the bar. The confirmation devastated both his family and the remaining Tossakan members.
On July 16, Tossakan announced that singer Thitiwat Kaewkanha had also died after several days of intensive care. According to CH7 News, the singer had suffered burns over 80 percent of his body. Medical personnel performed extensive life-saving procedures but were ultimately unable to save him.
The band leader recalled that the musicians were among the first to notice that something was wrong. “I was under the stage at the time. Everything became chaotic within 10-15 seconds. Customers rushed towards the front and back emergency exits and we kept shouting for everyone to escape,” he said.
Other band members said the fire spread much faster than anyone expected. Thick smoke reduced visibility to almost zero and many people collapsed as they tried to escape from crowded exits.
The fire has been described as one of the deadliest disasters to hit Bangkok’s entertainment venues in recent years. Thousands of people across Thailand have left messages of condolence on Tossakan’s social media pages, mourning the four musicians who lost their lives while performing for their audiences.
According to the Bangkok Post, the police are focusing their investigations on the bar’s electrical system, the sound-absorbing materials of the ceiling and the layout of the emergency exits. Some witnesses said the rear emergency exit was partially blocked by stored items, trapping people as they attempted to escape.
After an inspection of the scene, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced that authorities would conduct thorough safety inspections of entertainment venues across the city. Thai authorities also said they would determine the liability of the bar owner and any other people involved if violations of fire safety regulations were discovered.
Sources: TP
