Actors Call for Stricter Nightlife Safety Standards
Thai actors call for stricter safety inspections at nightlife venues following a deadly beer bar fire in Bangkok on July 12, citing inadequate emergency protocols and overcrowding as ongoing concerns.
A fatal fire at a beer bar in the Ladphrao area on July 12 claimed multiple lives and affected many people. Actors Tu Bhopthon Suntaranyakij and Lukhuwa Pichiga Jittaputta, attending the Sky Castle Thailand World Premiere at SF World Cinema in Central World, shared their perspectives on the incident and called for serious intervention by authorities.
The entertainment and music industries have expressed concern about the fire. Tu said: "First, I want to express condolences to the families of those affected. This is something that should never happen. I believe the key issue to address is stricter inspection of all venues—restaurants, pubs, hotels, and others. While there are laws in place that businesses must follow, there also needs to be a monitoring component to ensure they comply. I've played at many venues where I felt unsafe for myself and the audience. If an emergency occurred, we wouldn't be able to evacuate in time. Not all venues have proper knowledge of safety protocols. It should start with educating business owners before they open, not shutting them down after the fact. Clear regulations must be communicated to operators."
Lukhuwa added: "Yes, every venue needs to be aware this can happen. They need to check sprinkler systems and other safety equipment. Fire drills should be mandatory. Business owners need to be more conscious of these responsibilities."
When asked if they had experienced similar incidents, Lukhuwa said: "Not yet, though there have been times when fights broke out at pubs and we had to evacuate. That was when people were drunk."
Tu said: "Each incident serves as a reminder. Every time I enter a venue, I check for emergency exits and capacity limits. Sometimes venues are overcrowded, which is inevitable. Trampling can happen in an emergency. We encounter this regularly because we perform at nightlife venues often, but fortunately, we haven't experienced a disaster yet."
When asked if the incident makes them hesitant to take future work, Tu replied: "I don't think people should view it that way. As performers and as members of the public, we can't avoid going out. We should simply be more aware and mindful of our surroundings. When we go to crowded venues, we should note where the exits are. It's about maintaining awareness."
