Bangkok Beer Restaurant Fire: Families of Victims Pay Tribute in Mourning Atmosphere

(Central News Agency reporter Li Zongxian, Bangkok, April 14) — One day after the fire at the Bangkok Beer Restaurant, families of the deceased, friends, and members of the public returned to the site today, placing fresh flowers, wreaths, candles, and condolence notes at the restaurant entrance to pay tribute to the victims, as a sorrowful atmosphere enveloped the scene.

Starting this morning, relatives of the victims and members of the public have been visiting the beer restaurant located in Bangkok's Chatuchak district, laying flowers or wreaths at the entrance to mourn those who died in the fire.

A friend of one of the deceased told reporters on site that two friends who had gone missing were regular companions during social gatherings, one of whom was from Laos.

On the night of the incident, the friend had sent him a message inviting him to the restaurant, but he did not go. After the fire broke out, he tried repeatedly to contact them but received no response, until he eventually confirmed their deaths.

In addition to relatives, several Lao migrant workers who had been employed at the restaurant also returned to the site. Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS) reported today that one worker said his biggest concern now is how to repatriate the body of his deceased relative to Laos for burial, and he is uncertain about his employment situation after the fire.

Another worker said, in addition to a fellow villager who tragically died, one colleague remains hospitalized. The hospital has informed them that medical expenses have already reached 200,000 Thai baht (approximately NT$192,000), but they are unsure how to cover the costs and do not know whether their employer provides insurance or other protections.

Today, the mother of one of the victims, Namthip, also came to the site with a wreath. With tears in her eyes, she said she received a call around 1 a.m. on the day of the incident, learning that her daughter had made plans with friends to visit the restaurant, and later confirmed that her daughter was on the list of the deceased.

Around noon, fire investigators and police entered the restaurant to conduct an on-site inspection, taking photographs and collecting evidence to determine the cause of the fire.

The Bangkok Beer Restaurant fire occurred at 11:57 p.m. local time on April 12. According to data released today by the Chatuchak district office, the incident resulted in 30 deaths and 76 injuries. This is the deadliest fire at an entertainment venue in Thailand in recent years. (Editor: Chen Huiping) 1150714

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