Families Identify Victims of Bangkok Beer Restaurant Fire, Demand Investigation into Locked Emergency Exits

(Central News Agency reporter Li Zongxian, Bangkok, 13th) A massive fire at a beer restaurant in Bangkok, Thailand, has resulted in 27 deaths and over 70 injuries. Today, families of the victims arrived at the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the Royal Thai Police Hospital to identify and claim the remains. Grieving family members expressed sorrow, with some questioning the restaurant's fire safety measures and demanding a thorough investigation into whether emergency exits were locked and whether building safety standards were met.

The victims' bodies were transported early this morning to the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the Royal Thai Police Hospital. Authorities and volunteer organizations set up service counters at the site to assist families with applications and inquiries.

The institute was crowded with media crews from early morning, as families began arriving one after another. Many family members, visibly heartbroken, proceeded with procedures under the guidance of volunteer staff. Some could not hold back their tears, covering their faces in grief, creating a somber atmosphere.

Kanlayawat Bunruangthong, whose cousin Sittipong Chaiyo (from Ubon Ratchathani Province in northeastern Thailand) died in the fire, told reporters that after comparing the deceased's prior movements, photos, and personal belongings, the family confirmed that one of the 27 victims was Sittipong.

According to PPTV36, Kanlayawat said the family had completed procedures with police, but under Thai law, they must wait for the victim's mother to arrive from Ubon Ratchathani to provide a DNA sample for identity confirmation before they can claim the body for funeral arrangements.

Family members said Sittipong had only started working as a waiter at a Bangkok restaurant about a month ago. He was diligent and rarely went out for entertainment. On the night of the incident, he was off-duty and had met friends at the restaurant, only to tragically lose his life in the fire.

Kanlayawat said no amount of compensation from the government or business operators could compensate for the pain of losing a loved one. She urged police to thoroughly investigate the building's structure and fire safety measures, especially whether rumors that emergency exits were locked were true.

The Thai Post reported that the younger sister of another victim said police had confirmed the identity through handwriting analysis.

She said she had been gathering at home with her brother and friends before the fire. Around midnight, her brother left alone by car without stating his destination.

After the fire broke out, she called her brother's phone five times with no answer. On the sixth call, someone finally answered, saying a fire had occurred, but she still could not confirm her brother's safety. It was only when the family arrived at the scene that they learned her brother had been found dead in a restroom.

Usa Thadsri, a fire survivor, said she frequently visited the beer restaurant. On the night of the incident, she was there with four friends. She escaped the fire by stepping outside to smoke, and shortly afterward saw thick smoke rising from the roof. The fire spread rapidly, leaving no time to return and rescue others.

She noted that three of the five in her group survived, while the other two victims were a married couple with young children.

Additionally, Jansuda Tanla, the mother of 27-year-old Din, lead singer of the Thai band 'Tosakan,' also visited the Institute of Forensic Medicine today in search of her son.

According to Thairath, Jansuda said she still had not located her son. Forensic officials informed her that no remains matching her son's physical characteristics had been found, so the family would continue searching at other hospitals.

Jansuda shared with the media her last conversation with her son before he took the stage, recalling his promise: 'Even if I don't graduate from university, I'll take good care of you, Mom.' She said her son had worked hard to pursue his singing dream and had used his performance income to pay off about 300,000 to 400,000 Thai baht in family debt. She appealed to anyone with information about her son to come forward. (Edited by Tang Shengyang) 1150713