The death toll from Sunday’s Bangkok pub fire has risen to 33 with the passing of the singer who was performing when the blaze broke out at Rong Beer Na Ladprao in Chatuchak district.
Thitiwat “Din” Kaewkanha, 27, from the Tossakan band, died on Wednesday of severe injuries in Rajavithi Hospital. A female singer and a keyboard player with the band died instantly at the scene on Sunday, and the band’s drummer later succumbed to injury. Two other members were injured including the band’s leader.
The Chatuchak district office reported on Thursday that all 33 fatalities had been identified, including six people who had been reported seriously injured earlier.
It said 71 people had been confirmed as injured, including 14 seriously.
Authorities believe the fire was probably sparked by an electrical short circuit in a ceiling air conditioner. Combustible material that decorated the stage to improve acoustics instantly ignited to produce extreme heat, smoke and toxins, choking the trapped patrons.
Pol Lt Gen Sayam Boonsom, the Bangkok police chief, said on Thursday that the victims died from inhalation of toxic gases. Autopsies found traces of carbon monoxide and cyanide which blocked tissue from receiving oxygen.
“Excessive inhalation of both substances could kill victims in four minutes,” he said.
Electrical modifications
Pol Lt Gen Sayam said information from the Metropolitan Electricity Authority indicated that the operator of the beer hall might have modified its electrical system without MEA permission. This could have caused overloading and a short circuit that led to the fire.
According to the metropolitan police chief, the beer hall operator had earlier asked the MEA to raise power supply from 30(100) amps but declined a pre-approval inspection by MEA technicians.
A 30(100) Amp power supply refers to an electrical meter rating where 30A is the normal working limit and 100A is the absolute maximum it can handle.
A musician who performed at the pub was quoted as saying earlier that brownouts were frequent at the one-storey hall before the fire incident.
Pol Lt Gen Sayam also quoted some survivors as saying that a fire exit was locked and said forensic police were verifying the account.
He said police could not question the owner as he was still in intensive care and on a respirator.
However, police say he could face charges of recklessness causing death, injury and fire and unauthorised building modification.
A building safety expert said earlier that Rong Beer Na Lad Phrao lacked the safety systems required for the large crowds — it had a capacity of 700 — and live music events it hosted.
Safety review
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has pledged a sweeping review of Thailand’s entertainment venue laws and zoning regulations as a result of the fire tragedy.
The government has also ordered nationwide inspections of entertainment venues and public buildings to be completed within 30 days as part of a broader effort to strengthen public safety.
The owner of Rong Beer Na Ladprao was admitted to intensive care immediately after the fire, but an update on his condition was not available.
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