Bangkok bar fire kills 33, claims four Totsakan band members

Bangkok,UPDATED: Jul 16, 2026 13:52 IST

A flash fire at a music bar in Bangkok that killed at least 33 people has also devastated Totsakan, the band that was performing when the blaze broke out, with four of its six core members among the dead. Dozens were injured and 17 people remained in critical condition on Wednesday, as families searched for answers and sought compensation.

Thai authorities are investigating what caused Sunday night's fire at the Rong Beer Na Ladprao bar and why it led to so many casualties. Officials are examining whether the ceiling had highly flammable soundproofing foam, whether exits were accessible and unlocked, and whether the venue was legally registered.

The fate of Totsakan has been central to coverage of the tragedy in Thailand. As residents expressed grief, confusion and anger, the sister of the band's late keyboard player, Preutthipong Pudmon, appealed for people to remember him for his music. "If I can be his representative, I think he would say he doesn't want to see everyone sad and cry," Chanyanuch Pudmon said as she and other family members collected his body from Bangkok's Institute of Forensic Science. "He would not want everyone to see him as he is now, but please remember his smile on stage, playing music that he loves."

Wiroon Supasingsiripreecha, chief of the forensic institute, said most victims died from smoke inhalation, while a few died from burn injuries. Emergency services said the fire injured dozens.

Totsakan was the house band at the bar and played every Sunday, performing roots music popular especially in rural areas, with traditional beats played on modern instruments. Band members were among the first to notice a spark from a circuit breaker that may have started the blaze, which then spread across the ceiling. People inside said they rushed towards the few narrow exits in complete darkness.

In the confusion after the fire, it was not immediately clear who had survived. The band's leader and singer, Atipat Wijan, known as Ice, told Thai TV Channel 3 that the bass player called him to say that Nahatai Sajjalert, the lead female singer known as Breeze and also his girlfriend, was being given CPR behind the still-smouldering building. Ice said he tried to help emergency workers revive her, but she could not be saved. "She wasn't burned at all. Her body was completely intact. She just looked like she was peacefully asleep," he said.

Ice also said there was an initial belief that keyboardist Preutthipong, known as Kwang, had been rescued and taken to hospital, but that turned out to be a misunderstanding. He did not make it out of the bar. The band's drummer, Nattapat Thamnita, or Biw, was taken out in critical condition but later died. On Wednesday, the band said its other male singer, Thitiwat Kaewkanha, had also died in hospital after a day of frantic searching. Thai Rath reported that Thitiwat, known as Din, had burns over 80 per cent of his body.

On Wednesday, survivors and relatives of those killed went to a police station to seek compensation, collect belongings and give statements. Natthaphong Lakhorn, 26, who had been at the bar with four companions, said he was sitting near the stage when the fire started. He saw white smoke coming from the stage and first thought it was dry ice before realising a fire had broken out. "When the fire broke, I just ran, and then all power went out," said Natthaphong, who said a relative who was with him died in the fire. "It was so hectic."

Natthaphong said he escaped through the back door near the bathrooms and saw a security guard there using a torch to guide people out, which contradicted police reports that the door was not used. He said he did not remember hearing a fire alarm. With bandages covering both ears and part of his forehead, he said he planned to seek compensation for his injuries.

Kanticha Singkhon, 25, went to the police station to collect a handbag and other belongings of her mother, who died in the fire. She said she is now responsible for her younger brother. Kanticha said the bar owners should be the ones to contact the victims' families, "because they would be going back to their hometowns by now. They won't have time because each victim came from far away," she said.

A lawyer for the bar owners told local media that survivors and relatives of victims would initially receive 10,000 baht, or about USD 300, in compensation. Kanticha said that was far from enough. "It's not enough money for a funeral - I had to take a loan to arrange my mom's funeral," she said. "I have not had any financial arrangements, and no one has contacted me." As the investigation continues, the tragedy has left families mourning their losses, survivors recalling the chaos, and the band at the centre of the night devastated by the deaths of four members.

With PTI Inputs

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