Bangkok bar in deadly fire lacked basic safety measures, expert says

The Bangkok bar that erupted into flames, killing 30 people, lacked some basic safety systems that might have saved lives, an independent expert has claimed.

Wasawat Kitsiriteeraphak, a former president of Thailand’s Building Inspector Association, visited the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao restaurant and bar with forensic police in the wake of Sunday’s deadly blaze.

Afterwards, he said he believed the venue lacked the safety systems required for the large crowds and live music it hosted.

He said fire escape routes, alarm systems and emergency preparedness could “help minimise the severity of potential loss of life and property”.

But during his preliminary inspection, he said he saw “no emergency exit signage, emergency lighting systems or fire alarm devices”.

Wasawat, a consultant who has worked with forensic police in other cases, cautioned that a comprehensive assessment by officials would be needed.

Thailand’s approach to health and safety regulations - particularly in bars and nightclubs - has long raised concerns.

In 2009, a blaze tore through Bangkok’s Santika club during New Year celebrations, killing 67 people and injuring more than 200.

In 2022, 25 people died after a fire ripped through the Mountain B nightclub in Thailand’s eastern Chonburi province.

Jittiya Phaiklaw, whose niece died in Sunday’s fire, said: “It keeps happening ... since Santika, and now this incident again. It’s a huge loss.”

Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao had a restaurant licence, but its actual operations resembled those of an “entertainment venue”, Wasawat said.

Interior Ministry official Ansit Samphantarat said: “If a venue has these components but is not registered as an entertainment venue, that is considered a violation”.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt promised a survey of similar establishments as well as tougher enforcement across the city.

But he said zoning regulations and legal definitions of different establishments needed to be revised.

Wasawat said a national effort was needed to improve safety.

He called for inspections across the country “alongside serious enforcement of building control and safety in order to prevent similar losses from occurring again”.

- AFP