The death toll from the devastating fire at the Rong Beer Na Ladprao entertainment venue has risen to 33, authorities confirmed Friday, making it the capital’s deadliest blaze in 17 years.
More than 70 others remain injured as investigators continue to uncover details of the tragedy that has left the city grieving.
One week after the late-Sunday inferno on July 12, the site in northern Bangkok remains a stark reminder of the loss.
Blown-out windows face the street, while inside, the remains of tables and chairs bear witness to the suddenness of the disaster.
For the families of the victims, the site has become a place of daily remembrance. Mourners gather outside the blackened building, offering flowers, food, and water — acts of love and prayer for the departed, rooted in the belief that those who have gone before us should not be forgotten.
Amid the grief, a profound wave of solidarity has emerged.
Msgr. Andrew Vissanu Thanya-anant, pastor of St. John Catholic Church, located just 100 meters from the disaster site, visited on Friday to pray with those who were grieving. Accompanied by church staff, he read a message of condolence and sprinkled holy water at the site.
“With profound sorrow and hope in God’s mercy, St. John’s Church extends its deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones and to those injured in this tragic event,” the message read. “May the departed rest in eternal peace. May the injured be healed.”
Speaking to LiCAS News, Msgr. Vissanu said the Church’s presence was an act of communion.
“Every morning during Mass, I remember the victims and those who mourn them,” he said. “We came to pray and to show solidarity. Death has no religion, tears have no sectarianism, and the love of God knows no borders.”
“In moments like this, the most powerful thing we can say is not ‘We have all the answers,’ but simply, ‘We are here with you’,” he added.
As authorities complete the identification of all 33 victims, forensic reports show that smoke inhalation was the leading cause of death.
Medical examiners also found traces of cyanide in some victims, caused by toxic fumes from burning synthetic materials.
Police said CCTV footage indicated that the fire began with an electrical short circuit in an air-conditioning unit above the ceiling. Sparks ignited flammable soundproofing foam, filling the room with thick black smoke within seconds.
Many victims were found in windowless bathrooms, where they had sought refuge from the flames.
The tragedy has touched people across the region, especially travelers who frequent Bangkok’s nightlife. Visitors from Malaysia and Singapore who came to pay their respects spoke of their shock.
“This is a heartbreaking wake-up call for all of us,” one visitor said. “From now on, we will make it a habit to look for fire exits the moment we enter any crowded place. It’s a small thing, but it saves lives.”
As Bangkok enters a period of mourning, Church leaders and civic authorities are calling for stricter enforcement of building safety codes and better regulation of materials used in public venues.
