Bangkok – Police have integrated efforts to inspect entertainment venues in the Thonglor-Ekkamai area to raise safety standards, initially ordering the closure of three unlicensed establishments.
At 7:30 p.m. on 19 Jul 2026 GMT+7 at Thonglor Police Station, Police General Thatchai Pitanilabutr, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police; Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau; Police Major General Witawat Chinkham, Commander of Metropolitan Police Division 5; along with Governor Chadchart Sittipunt of Bangkok, Narong Ruangsri, Permanent Secretary of Bangkok, and Police Colonel Ratthanon Ektitikulphat, Chief of Thonglor Police Station, accompanied by 50 officers, Watthana District Office, and related agencies jointly inspected entertainment venues to enhance safety measures and enforce laws following the tragic fire at Rod Beer restaurant on Ladprao that caused 34 deaths and many injuries.
Police General Thatchai Pitanilabutr revealed that this inspection was guided by ten lessons learned that Bangkok Metropolitan Administration derived from investigating the Ladprao restaurant fire, applying these insights to review establishments and entertainment venues in Watthana district, which hosts numerous venues with dense patronage.
The focus is on inspecting the safety of buildings, especially ensuring fire exits and entrances are functional and unobstructed, with clear signage, emergency lighting, and firefighting equipment as legally required. All equipment must be operational and regularly checked. Any deficiencies found require operators to promptly rectify them.
Governor Chadchart Sittipunt stated that Bangkok has approximately 1,100 venues requiring inspection. Given the urgency, priority is given to those with heavy patronage due to higher risks, aiming to complete inspections within 14 days, with the remainder finished within 60 days.
In Watthana district, 19 venues are licensed by the Metropolitan Police Bureau, and 74 are licensed as similar establishments by Watthana District Office. Of the 34 venues already inspected by the district office, three were found operating without licenses and were ordered closed, with plans to consider closing an additional venue. Special vigilance is maintained in Cowboy Soi, an area characterized by old buildings and cramped conditions, posing significant fire hazards.
At 8:00 p.m., officers from Thonglor Police Station, Watthana District Office, and related agencies inspected a venue in Ekkamai Soi 5 for fire prevention measures. The rear fire exit door lacked signage, and fire extinguishers were placed in some spots but not clearly installed. Overall, the venue did not meet some standards and was ordered to suspend operations for improvements. Once the venue complies, it may request a re-inspection and, if standards are met, resume operations.