Thailand

Death toll from Bangkok bar fire rises to 32 as 2 more die in hospital

Two people injured in a huge fire at a Bangkok music bar have died, bringing the death toll to 32, officials said Wednesday. More than 70 people were injured and 30 people remain hospitalised, with 15 of them in intensive care units, according to the Erawan emergency services centre in Thailand's capital. The blaze at the Rong Beer Na Ladprao bar was the city's deadliest in 17 years. It broke out late Sunday in a northern part of the city, and firefighters needed half an hour to bring it under control. An investigation into the cause of the fire and whether the bar was following safety regulations is ongoing. Survivors and relatives of the deceased visited a police station near the scene on Wednesday to seek compensation, gather belongings and share statements about the blaze.

Bangkok's deadliest bar fire that killed 30: All that you need to know

Thai authorities are investigating a Bangkok bar fire that killed at least 30 people and injured dozens more, the latest in a long history of catastrophic fires at bars, clubs, and other nightlife venues worldwide. Experts say the high death toll may reflect factors common to past entertainment venue fires, including inadequate safety measures. The blaze, which broke out shortly before midnight Sunday, apparently spread rapidly across a ceiling lined with flammable decorative materials before reaching the main entrance. Local media suggest crowded conditions, obstructed escape routes, and panic may have hampered evacuation. Here's what to know about the fire: Investigators focus on how fire spread ----------------------------------------- Videos shared online by witnesses show a blaze engulfing the Na Ladprao music bar as thick black smoke pours from the front entrance and people scramble to flee. Photos and videos from the scene Monday showed Thai investigators examining the gutt

Death toll in Bangkok music bar fire rises to 30, dozens remain in hospital

The death toll from a huge fire in a Bangkok music bar has increased to 30, officials said Tuesday. More than 70 people remain hospitalised, with 24 of them in critical condition, according to Bangkok city officials. The blaze at the Rong Beer Na Ladprao bar, the city's deadliest in 17 years, broke out late Sunday in a northern part of the Thai capital. Firefighters needed half an hour to bring it under control. The bar, which in Thai calls itself a brewery or beer hall, claimed to accommodate as many as 600 customers. It was not clear how many were present Sunday night. An investigation into the cause of the fire and whether the bar was following safety regulations is ongoing. Most of the people who were killed were found trapped in windowless bathrooms where they may have sought to escape the flames, police said. Former patrons of the bar and other mourners visited the site Tuesday, adding to the growing pile of flowers leaning on the guardrails cordoning off the location of the

At least 27 dead, several injured after fire breaks out at Bangkok pub

A huge fire engulfed a pub in Bangkok early Monday morning, killing at least 27 people before firefighters brought the blaze under control, officials said. Footage shared online by first responders shows a huge blaze raging and plumes coming out of the front door of the Na Ladprao pub in the northern part of the Thai capital. People are seen trying to flee as thick black smoke billows into the sky. Rescuers said the fire was reported around midnight. Thailand Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters at the scene that 27 people died and that several of the injured have been taken to the hospital. He said the cause of the fire is under investigation. Anutin said a musician who was performing at the pub told him that he saw smoke coming out of a circuit breaker near the stage before the power went out, then an explosion was heard and thick smoke quickly filled the place. Many of the victims were found in the restrooms, at the back of the pub, Anutin added. Firefighters took

Thailand, Philippines and Argentina primed as supply chain 'rising stars'

A new analysis says several Southeast Asian and Latin American economies are well positioned to attract investment as companies seek more resilient supply chains

Thailand's Princess Bajrakitiyabha, known for her legal work, dies at 47

Thailand's Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, a lawyer and the eldest of King Maha Vajiralongkorn's children, has died at 47, the Bureau of the Royal Household said. She died Thursday evening at a Bangkok hospital where she had been cared for since falling unconscious due to illness three years ago, according to the statement issued Friday. Bajrakitiyabha was active in justice reform efforts and best known for her Kamlangjai, or "Inspire," project to help rehabilitate incarcerated Thai women ahead of their release. Bajrakitiyabha was hospitalised in December 2022 after falling unconscious while training dogs for an army exhibition. The palace said she had a mycoplasma infection, a bacterial infection usually associated with pneumonia. Her father's New Year's greeting card for 2023 showed King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida garbed in somber black, which many Thais saw as confirmation of the gravity of her condition. The limited information released in subsequent years indicated

Need to unlock immense potential of Andamans to grow together: Thai envoy

Siriporn Tantipanyathep, the Consul General of Thailand in Kolkata, said it was time for both countries to unlock the immense potential of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and grow together as regional partners. "I expressed my sincere interest in learning more about the islands' development vision, progress, future direction, and aspirations, and how Thailand and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands can help each other to grow together while unlocking the potential," Tantipanyathep told PTI in an interview. "This is my first visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and I am truly delighted to be here. I have come with great optimism and a strong sense of purpose -- to further strengthen the long-standing friendship with the archipelago, and to explore potential areas for meaningful cooperation," the envoy said. She said the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Thailand are already naturally connected by the same sea, historic trade routes, and shared regional opportunities. "We are much clo

Thailand ends 60-day visa-free entry in major tourism policy rollback

Travellers from countries including Australia, Singapore and the United States will now receive only 30-day visa-free stays, while some nationalities will be required to obtain visas on arrIval

Scientists find new Covid-like virus in Thai bats with human infection risk

Researchers identified a sarbecovirus strain in Thai bats that may bind to human ACE2 receptors, though no human infections or community spread have been reported

Thailand visa fees hiked: From tourists to digital nomads, check full list

Planning a Thailand trip? New visa, SMART, LTR, and consular charges apply from April 27, 2026, while visa-free entry rules remain unchanged

Thailand warns travellers: TDAC free, fake sites charge up to $90

Planning a trip to Thailand? Officials warn travellers against fake TDAC websites charging fees, saying registration is free and must be done only through official channels

Raids in Thailand's Pattaya villas expose betting network, 68 Indians held

Thai police arrest 68 Indians in crackdown on illegal gambling hubs; India ramps up action against online betting platforms as IPL season, a peak period for wagering, gets underway

Thailand to cut visa-free stay to 30 days for tourists amid misuse concerns

Proposal to cut visa-free stay from 60 to 30 days may affect Indian travellers, even as Thailand targets 2.55 million visitors from India in 2026

Thailand PM Anutin Charnvirakul to stay in power following Parliament vote

Thailand's incumbent Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul won a vote in Parliament on Thursday to remain in office, according to an official tally. The leader of the Bhumjaithai Party garnered 293 votes, exceeding the required majority of the 498 members who attended the session in the House of Representatives. Anutin is expected to take office a few days after obtaining a formal appointment from King Maha Vajiralongkorn and the new cabinet is expected to be appointed in the following weeks. Anutin's Bhumjaithai Party won 191 seats in February's general election, according to official results, and has since built a coalition with several other parties to form a governing majority. Among those partners is the populist Pheu Thai Party, which placed third with 74 seats. The progressive People's Party, which finished second with 120 seats, has said it will not join the Bhumjaithai-led government. Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut received 119 votes after being nominated in what the

Thailand grants Indians 60-day visa-free stay, plus 30-day extension

Indian travellers can now stay in Thailand for 60 days without a visa, with a further 30-day extension available under new rules

Thailand halves default sugar in cafes under a nationwide health push

Thailand has redefined 'normal sweetness' in cafe drinks, cutting default sugar by 50% in a nationwide health push aimed at reducing obesity, diabetes and excess sugar intake

Teen steals police gun, kills one in school attack in southern Thailand

A 17-year-old stole a gun from police and opened fire at a public high school in southern Thailand, briefly taking people hostage Wednesday in a two-hour attack that killed one person and injured two others, police and local officials said. Police also wounded the assailant in a gunbattle at the Patongprathankiriwat School in Songkhla province before taking him into custody to end the standoff, the provincial government said in a statement. The attack took place in late afternoon shortly after classes were dismissed. The school's director died in a hospital in the early hours of Thursday after being severely wounded in the attack. A student was also wounded by gunshots, while another student was injured while jumping off a building to flee the scene, Thailand's Health Ministry said. The suspect was identified by local officials as a 17-year-old with a history of drug abuse and mental health issues. Officials said the suspect was causing a disturbance and that police were called in t

Who is Thailand's leader Anutin and how did he seal clear win in elections?

Anutin is now set to head a coalition govt with comfortable majority that may end bouts of political upheaval which have rattled the Southeast Asian nation in recent years and left its economy adrift

Thailand votes in early election with three main parties vying for power

Voters in Thailand went to the polls Sunday in an early general election seen as a three-way race among competing visions of progressive, populist and old-fashioned patronage politics. The battle for support from 53 million registered voters comes against a backdrop of slow economic growth and heightened nationalist sentiment. While more than 50 parties are contesting the polls, only three - the People's Party, Bhumjaithai, and Pheu Thai - have the nationwide organisation and popularity to gain a winning mandate. A simple majority of the 500 elected lawmakers selects the next prime minister. No outright winner expected Local polls consistently project that no single party will gain a majority, necessitating the formation of a coalition government. Although the progressive People's Party is seen as favoured to win a plurality, its reformist politics aren't shared by its leading rivals, which may freeze it out by joining forces to form a government. The People's Party, led by ...

What to know about Thailand's election as growth slows, nationalism rises

Thailand's political parties on Friday geared up for their last campaign rallies before voters head to the polls on Sunday for a general election being held against a backdrop of chronically slow economic growth and heightened nationalist sentiment. There also have been accusations of shady financial influence linked to cybercrime and rampant corruption among officials ahead of the election that is likely to be a tight race among three major parties with no outright winner expected. Here is what to know. Election was called early -------------------------- The snap vote was triggered in December by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who dissolved parliament to preempt a potential no-confidence motion over an issue of constitutional change. Anutin at the time had held office for only three months after the court-ordered removal of his predecessor, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, for what were judged as ethical lapses. The move came at a tricky political moment as Thailand engaged in comb