Bangkok Bar Fire Kills 33, Including 4 Thotsakan Members, as Survivors Cite Locked Exits
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 16
Bangkok Bar Fire Kills 33, Including 4 Thotsakan Members, as Survivors Cite Locked Exits
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 16
Summary
Four of Thotsakan's 11 members were among the 33 killed in Monday's fire at Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao, while 15 others were left critically injured.
Survivors said smoke and flames engulfed the stage, cut power and trapped people as locked doors and missing emergency-exit signs hampered escape.
Band leader Athipat Wichan, who suffered head and arm injuries, spoke at vocalist Nahathai Satjalert's funeral and said the group had seen electrical problems at venues before, but never a blaze like this.
Thai authorities are investigating whether negligence caused the fire, after earlier reports said a circuit-breaker spark may have started the blaze and most victims died from smoke inhalation.
The disaster has renewed scrutiny of Thailand's fire-safety enforcement at entertainment venues and left surviving musicians questioning whether they can keep performing.