On Wednesday, survivors and families of those who perished in the Bangkok bar fire visited a local police station to seek compensation, reclaim personal belongings, and provide statements regarding the tragic incident.
Authorities in Bangkok reported that the fire, which occurred on Sunday night, resulted in at least 32 fatalities and left over 70 individuals injured, with 15 in critical condition.
The investigation into the cause of the blaze at Long Bia Na Ladprao Bar is ongoing.
According to police, many victims were trapped in bathrooms without windows, likely trying to escape the flames.
Willoon Supasinsiriplicha, the Director of the Forensic Institute, shared with reporters on Wednesday that the primary cause of death for most victims was smoke inhalation, with several others succumbing to burns.
Natafon Lakhorn, aged 26, was at the beer hall with friends when the fire broke out. He recalled seeing white smoke from the stage, initially thinking it was dry ice effects before realizing it was fire.
“As soon as the flames erupted, I ran, but then everything went dark,” Natafon recounted, noting that one of his relatives did not escape. “It’s just been so chaotic.”
On Wednesday, Natafon visited the Phaholyothin Police Station to provide his statement. Walls were adorned with photos of personal items, like a smartphone, that had been left behind during the chaos.
With bandages covering both ears and part of his forehead, he mentioned he would pursue compensation for his injuries before formally filing a report. Natafon remarked that he exited through a back door near the bathroom, where a security guard was using flashlights to guide patrons out—a detail that contradicts earlier police assertions that the door was not used.
Kanticha Singkhon, 25, arrived at the station to retrieve her mother’s handbag and belongings after her mother tragically died in the fire.
Without her mother, Kanticha expressed that she now has the responsibility of caring for her younger brother. “We just want the bar owners to reach out to us instead of forcing us to come here. It’s tough, especially since the families have traveled long distances,” she stated.
A lawyer representing the bar’s owners announced that survivors and affected families would initially receive compensation of 10,000 baht (around $300).
