Blocked escape routes, confusing exit signs and a lack of fire-resistant materials were among the safety failures discovered at Rong Beer Na Ladprao in Bangkok following a blaze that killed at least 32 people and injured 73 others.
Authorities are now examining whether these violations may have worsened the scale of the tragedy as a wider investigation into the venue’s operation, licensing and building safety continues.
According to the Interior Ministry, a candy stall had obstructed an escape route at the rear of the beer hall, while another emergency exit was marked “Do Not Open (Staff Only)”, potentially misleading customers as they attempted to flee.
Inspectors also found that fire-resistant materials had not been used in the building’s construction or interior decoration.
The inspection was carried out jointly by police, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and several relevant agencies, including the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning.
Investigators believe the blaze may have begun with an electrical short circuit in an air-conditioning unit above the ceiling before spreading rapidly through the venue. However, the exact cause has not yet been confirmed.
The pub was not licensed to operate as an entertainment venue and only held permits for a restaurant and live music performances. The premises were also located outside an area officially zoned for entertainment establishments.
Further inspections will examine whether the building had been approved for its current use and whether any unauthorised structural modifications had been made.
National police chief Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch said a joint investigation team had been established to examine the case, including the venue’s business partnerships and the officials responsible for licensing and inspections.
“Police are also inspecting the building’s electrical system, circuit breakers, sprinkler system and structural modifications to determine whether negligence contributed to the deaths,” he said.
Pol Gen Kittharath said investigators found two entrances at the front of the venue and two exits at the rear. However, one rear exit near the toilets was blocked by a stall, while another had no doorknob and was obstructed by shelves and lockers, leaving only a narrow passageway.
“Many victims were found in the men’s and women’s toilets. Officials believe they may have been unable to see escape routes after thick smoke filled the venue and the power failed,” he said.
He said the tragedy underlined the need for entertainment venue operators to place customer safety above commercial interests.
Pol Maj Gen Panlop Araemla, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said police had not yet interviewed witnesses to confirm reports that staff locked doors to prevent customers from leaving without paying.
The victims’ bodies were taken to Police General Hospital for identification. As of Monday afternoon, the death toll stood at 32, while 73 people had been injured, including 22 who remained in serious condition.
Around 45 people believed to have been inside the venue at the time of the fire were still unaccounted for.
Anurat Khruachaem, assistant to the Chatuchak district director, said officials had inspected the premises in April.
The BMA is expected to conduct additional inspections to assess the building’s structural condition and determine whether it remains safe.
