Pub Fire Investigators Probe Poorly Maintained Exits Amid High Casualties

Investigators are focusing on whether poorly maintained and marked exits contributed to the high casualty count in a deadly beer hall fire in Bangkok, Thailand, which killed 28 people and injured 71 others. The Rong Beer Na Ladprao beer hall in Chatuchak district was plunged into darkness due to an electrical blackout caused by the fire, disorienting many patrons who struggled to find their way out. Police are examining the rear exit near the toilets, where many bodies were found, and stated that if this exit was locked, it would be considered reckless. Another rear exit, through the kitchen, had its signs and lights damaged by the fire, and the doorknob was missing. Investigators will determine if the knob was destroyed in the blaze or was already broken. Additionally, a narrow passage, about one meter wide, was partially blocked by lockers and shelves, restricting it to single-file use, which investigators believe indicates negligence in emergency preparedness. The establishment has been ordered closed for 30 days, and city engineers will assess the building's structural integrity. The pub owner, among the injured, is in intensive care and has not yet been questioned. The incident highlights concerns over safety standards and emergency evacuation plans in public venues across Thailand.