Families Hold Memorial Service for Two Women Killed in Bangkok Bar Fire

On July 15, families of Kachaporn Soththarat and Phanitcha Singkhon, who died in a fire at a beer bar in Bangkok's Ladprao area, gathered at the scene to perform a Buddhist ceremony inviting their spirits home. A monk was invited to preside over the ritual, with photographs, favorite foods, and fruits of the deceased placed as offerings, followed by a water-pouring merit-making ceremony.

Nirand Khimnok, boyfriend of Kachaporn (known as Nim), emotionally recounted learning of the tragedy through a friend's midnight call. He expressed shock and helplessness at the rapid unfolding of events. He noted the bar's inadequate safety measures, including poor exit designs and low ceilings visible from the entrance. He emphasized he did not want such losses to happen again and struggled to comprehend how to address the grief. His partner worked nearby and was a hardworking single mother supporting their two children, who were nearly finished with university.

Coworker Thida Chaisri revealed that both victims had come to the bar together as close friends. After retrieving their bodies from the forensic institute at Police Hospital, families decided to hold a joint Buddhist ceremony at a temple in Lam Luka district, Pathum Thani, since the two were close friends.

Regarding compensation, the Po Teck Tung Foundation initially provided assistance. While police and the forensic institute responded quickly—completing DNA comparison in just one day—the victims' families found the bar's 10,000-baht compensation inadequate. Given that one deceased was a single mother and primary family provider, they urged more reasonable compensation.