Category: The Bangkok Post

An injured survivor of Sunday’s deadly fire at Rong Beer Na Ladprao has filed a complaint with police, alleging no fire alarm sounded before the blaze. Investigators are reviewing footage from 16 security cameras as they work to determine the cause of the tragedy. The death toll rose to 32 on Wednesday after another critically injured victim died in hospital.

Mr Natthaphot, who was injured in the fire, gave a statement to investigators at Phahonyothin police station on Wednesday. He said he arrived at the entertainment venue about 10.30pm and was seated near the stage, close to the main entrance.

Shortly before the fire broke out, he noticed smoke but initially believed it was part of the special effects used during the live music performance. Moments later, he saw sparks and detected a burning smell. He said no fire alarm sounded and he did not see any sprinkler system operating inside the building.

Mr Natthaphot said he realised the severity of the situation only after hearing people shout that a fire had broken out. He managed to escape after a security guard used a flashlight to direct patrons to an emergency exit near the restrooms.

Police said they were reviewing footage from 16 security cameras obtained from the venue. Preliminary findings indicate flames were visible on the ceiling above the stage for about 20 seconds before spreading rapidly throughout the building.

Investigators are expected to question electrical and structural engineering experts as they seek to establish the cause.

Police said they have questioned 52 witnesses, including over 30 injured victims and relatives of those killed, 16 venue employees and two officials involved in the initial examination of the scene.

An 80-year-old Norwegian man who financially supported a Muay Thai boxing camp in Rayong and was accused of sexually abusing boys there died two days before police raided the camp and arrested its supervisor, authorities said on Thursday.

Investigators said the Norwegian, known as Kim (not his real name), had reportedly funded the camp’s operations and was later implicated in the sexual exploitation of children residing at the camp.

The man died of natural causes just two days before officers from Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) carried out their search.

Police arrested Naruebet ‘Check’ Nilthai, 28, supervisor of the boxing camp, on Tuesday. Social Development and Human Security officials from Rayong and Chon Buri provinces joined in the raid.

Mr Naruebet was charged with human trafficking for the purpose of exploiting minors for prostitution, including procuring, transporting and facilitating the prostitution of children aged over 15 but under 18, and operating or managing a prostitution business.

The arrest came after investigators received information that operators of a Muay Thai boxing camp had forced underage male boxers into prostitution for male clients in exchange for financial gain.

Pol Maj Gen Withaya Sriprasertparp, the ATPD commander, said on Tuesday that Mr Naruebet supervised the camp where there were about 30 Thai and foreign boxing trainees aged 18 to 35. He reportedly procured some of the young boxers for male clients.

Authorities interviewed 12 children to determine whether they had been victims of human trafficking. They gave consistent accounts that Kim, the Norwegian national, regularly financed the camp’s operations.

According to their statements, whenever the Norwegian visited the camp, a female secretary called boys to meet him in a reception room. They alleged that they were subjected to sexual abuse during those encounters.

They told investigators that Kim would pay them between 500 and 5,000 baht after each encounter and instruct them not to disclose what had occurred.

A multidisciplinary investigative team concluded that six children were victims of sexual abuse committed by Kim.

However, police subsequently learned that the Norwegian man had died from an existing medical condition two days before the camp was raided.

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.

The government is developing a disaster insurance scheme in partnership with private insurers to provide faster and more substantial compensation to disaster victims while reducing pressure on the state budget.

Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt said the government had been monitoring the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters and exploring ways to strengthen assistance for affected communities.

The cabinet has instructed the Interior Ministry to study alternatives to direct state compensation, with the aim of increasing the level of financial support available to people affected by natural disasters.

The ministry has been working with the Finance Ministry, the Office of the Insurance Commission and the Thai General Insurance Association to examine a disaster insurance model broadly based on Japan’s system for earthquakes, floods and windstorms.

Mr Pakorn said the proposed scheme would allow private insurers to share responsibility for compensation payments, reducing the government’s fiscal burden. Claims could also be processed more quickly than under the current state compensation system.

He said private insurers had expressed interest in participating, while disaster victims would benefit from faster payouts and higher levels of compensation.

Mr Pakorn said the government provides compensation of about 9,000 baht for certain types of damage, an amount that is often insufficient to cover home repair costs. At the same time, he said, it would not be realistic for the government to shoulder the full financial burden.

Under Japan’s model, insurance companies make prompt payments to victims following natural disasters, with premiums determined according to risk levels in each area.

“Disbursing government funds is often a complicated process and can sometimes be delayed, leaving disaster victims facing hardship while receiving only limited assistance because state payments are designed to cover everyone,” Mr Pakorn said.

“With an insurance-based system, compensation would be paid according to clearly defined coverage limits. If losses exceed the insured amount, the government could consider providing additional assistance, but the fiscal burden would be much smaller.”

Three entertainment venues in Bangkok have been ordered to cease operations after they failed to meet safety standards amid citywide inspections following the deadly fire at a large beer hall on Sunday.

The operation focuses on evaluating fire prevention readiness, emergency response capabilities, and compliance with business licensing and building usage regulations under the Building Control Act of 1979, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said on Thursday.

In the Rama I area in Pathum Wan district, officials ordered an immediate temporary shutdown after a venue was found operating as a pub featuring live music, lighting and entertainment without the required licence.

Inspectors also found no emergency exit signs and obstructions blocking emergency exits, City Hall said.

In the Charan Sanitwong area of Bangkok Noi district, a venue was hosting entertainment activities, including live music and karaoke, without a licence for a business deemed hazardous to public health, posing potential risks to public health and safety.

In the Phetchaburi area in Ratchathewi, a music performance venue was ordered to shut down after officials found the operator continued to provide services despite having previously received official warnings. The owner was given a final deadline to close the venue within seven days.

The intensified operation followed the tragic fire at Rong Beer Na Ladprao in Chatuchak district on Sunday night that claimed 33 lives.

Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez struck late goals to snatch a 2-1 win over England in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday to send Lionel Messi’s reigning champions into the weekend showpiece match against Spain.

Just when England appeared set for victory after Anthony Gordon’s second-half goal, Argentina mounted a relentless late siege and got their reward as Fernandez levelled before Martinez completed the turnaround in the 92nd minute ?with Messi providing the pass for the equaliser and the cross for the winner.

The result added another unforgettable chapter to one of football’s fiercest rivalries, a contest rich in history, emotion and tension from the opening whistle.

For England, dreams of a first World Cup final since 1966, when they enjoyed their only triumph at the global tournament, were dashed in the closing ?stages, while Argentina celebrated a comeback that kept alive their quest for another world title.

With England inexplicably parked in their own end, an Argentina equaliser felt inevitable and, after waves of late pressure, Fernandez finally broke through in the 85th minute when Messi found him in space on the edge of the box to fire home from 20 metres past Jordan Pickford into the corner.

Martinez, an 81st-minute substitute, struck the winner early in added time when Alexis Mac Allister drove a shot off the post that Messi recovered. The 39-year-old talisman drove down the right to send in a brilliant ball for Martinez ?to head home.

The victory carried particular significance for 39-year-old Messi, who was making what is widely expected to be the final World ?Cup appearance of his glittering career.

For England, the defeat was a devastating blow after matching Argentina for much of the contest.

The Three Lions had appeared poised for victory after Anthony Gordon broke the deadlock in the 55th ?minute when Nicolas Tagliafico’s attempted clearance landed at the feet of Declan Rice, who sent a through ball to Morgan Rogers.

Gordon popped up at the back post to guide Rogers’ cross with his instep past goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, sparking bedlam among the England players and fans.

But Thomas Tuchel’s side failed to withstand ?a relentless late assault as Argentina turned the game on its head.

Thai Beverage Plc (ThaiBev) continues to embed sustainability into its capital strategy through a 6.5-billion-baht sustainability-linked loan (SLL) from Bank of Ayudhya Plc (Krungsri).

Krungsri and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group acted as the joint sustainability structuring advisors.

The transaction marks the third consecutive SLL between ThaiBev and Krungsri, building on the company’s inaugural 10-billion-baht SLL in 2024 and a subsequent 5-billion-baht facility in 2025.

The arrangement reflects ThaiBev’s continued commitment to integrating sustainability into its capital strategy and strengthens its partnership with Krungsri to advance sustainable finance.

The third SLL directly links financing costs to ThaiBev’s performance against clearly defined sustainability performance targets (SPTs), with loan margins adjusted based on the achievement of those targets.

The SPTs include reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2030 from a 2023 baseline, and increasing renewable energy consumption to 50% of total energy use by the same year.

Established under the company’s sustainability-linked finance framework, the SPTs align with ThaiBev’s Science Based Targets initiative, a validated decarbonisation pathway that reinforces the credibility of the company’s sustainability commitments and underscores its science-based approach to climate action, the company said.

To provide independent validation of its sustainability-linked finance framework, ThaiBev appointed Morningstar Sustainalytics to issue a second-party opinion. The assessment confirmed the framework aligns with the SLL principles and that the company’s key performance indicators and SPTs are relevant, material and impactful within the context of its environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy.

Tongjai Thanachanan, executive vice-president and chief of sustainability and strategy at ThaiBev, said that as the company expands its SLL programme, it remains focused on delivering measurable environmental progress while strengthening business resilience and creating lasting value for all stakeholders.

Prakob Phiencharoen, head of corporate and investment banking at Krungsri, said the third SLL reflects a shared commitment to advancing sustainable finance and reaffirms Krungsri’s role in delivering tangible sustainable financing solutions that help clients integrate ESG into their business strategies and navigate evolving sustainability challenges.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is planning to propose three tourism stimulus projects worth 2.45 billion baht, aiming to generate 56 billion baht in economic value through a domestic travel co-payment scheme, domestic flight discounts and international flight subsidies.

At the ministry’s first dedicated public-private committee meeting held on Wednesday, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said stimulus measures were crucial to drive the industry amid global competition and the economic crisis.

He said the three schemes comprise: the “Thai Teaw Thai Plus” domestic co-payment scheme worth 1.75 billion baht; the “Fly Thai All the Feelings” domestic flight discount scheme valued at 200 million baht; and the “Thailand Air Connect” international flight subsidy scheme at a cost of 500 million baht.

The new phase of the domestic co-payment scheme subsidises 50% of accommodation costs.

Mr Surasak said the Tourism Authority of Thailand plans to allocate 500,000 privileges in the initial stage. The agency will monitor feedback and the remaining budget before deciding whether to increase the privileges, he noted. Each person is eligible for five privileges, capped at 3,000 baht per booking.

The scheme also offers a 500-baht coupon per booking for discounts at restaurants, attractions, local shops, car rentals and tour packages.

Transactions for the subsidy must be completed using the Pao Tang app. The scheme is expected to generate 32 billion baht in economic value and 1.66 billion baht in tax revenue.

Another campaign offers discounts on 400,000 domestic airline seats, with a 400-baht discount per flight to first-tier cities and a 600-baht reduction per flight to second-tier cities.

Each airline is to conduct its own marketing and promotional campaigns to attract passengers. The government is offering the subsidies directly to six local airlines on a first-come, first-served basis. The scheme is expected to generate 1.6 billion baht in economic impact.

The government also plans to provide subsidies for 600 charter flights carrying 87,000 inbound travellers, in parallel with co-marketing programmes among all commercial airlines with scheduled flights, aiming to attract at least 400,000 overseas travellers to Thailand.

The subsidy rate for each charter flight varies according to load factor, with a minimum requirement of 80%. The scheme is expected to generate 23.2 billion baht in tourism revenue, said Mr Surasak.

The committee plans to submit the proposal for approval soon to the Joint Public-Private Consultative Committee for Economic Problem Solving. The government still needs to finalise the budget and determine whether funding will come from the central budget for fiscal 2026 or 2027.

Thailand’s veteran goalkeeper Chatchai Butprom has urged his teammates to take the forthcoming Hyundai Cup “one match at a time” as the War Elephants’ preparations intensify ahead of the regional tournament.

The 39-year-old Buriram United player, recalled to the national squad for the 2026 Asean Football Championship, spoke of his pride at being selected once more.

“From the first day my name was announced until now, I remain very happy,” he said before training on Wednesday.

“I told coach Hudson that I want to help the team. If younger players need advice, I am ready to support them. In this competition, relationships within the squad are very important.”

Chatchai acknowledged that Thailand face a race against time to gel as a unit.

“The key is timing. We don’t have much before the first game, but everyone is familiar with the system. We must adjust quickly,” he explained.

“Each opponent is different, so we must focus on details. First, we must qualify from the group stage. If we reach the semi-finals and the final, we will approach each match step by step. In Asean football, no team is a clear favourite. Success depends on preparation and readiness.”

He conceded that pressure is inevitable but believes Thailand’s planning will prove decisive. “Vietnam, for example, began training earlier, but we have our own plan. I trust the coach’s strategy,” he said.

Midfielder Picha Autra of Bangkok United echoed the emphasis on collective effort.

“My physical condition is perfect. I prepared during the break by training online,” he noted.

“Every league I’ve played in has given me experience. New players must adapt, and those already in the team must also adjust. With hard work, the time we have may be enough. My target is to give my best and keep the same focus as the team.”

Thailand will play a behind-closed- doors warm-up game against Port on Saturday before opening their Hyundai Cup campaign against Laos in Vientiane on July 25.

Thai authorities have arrested a Chinese woman in Chon Buri province for allegedly using Thai nationals as nominee shareholders in a company operating in violation of Thailand’s foreign business laws.

Pol Col Krit Masuk, chief of Ban Bueng police station, on Thursday led a joint operation with officers from Ban Bueng police, the Chon Buri Immigration Office, local officials and the Chon Buri Provincial Commerce Office to search a timber-processing and distribution firm on Ban Bueng-Klaeng Road in Ban Bueng district. The search was carried out under a warrant issued by the Chon Buri Provincial Court.

Officers seized computers, mobile phones, closed-circuit television (CCTV) equipment and key documents believed to be linked to the alleged offences as evidence.

Authorities detained Zheng Xiuying, who was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by the Chon Buri Provincial Court.

She is accused of allowing Thai nationals to hold company shares on her behalf to evade or contravene the Foreign Business Act and of operating the business in breach of Thai law.

The arrest team informed the suspect of the charges and legal rights before handing her over to investigators at Ban Bueng police station for further proceedings.