Father Grieves Son Lost in Ladprao Beer Bar Fire
A 21-year-old rice vendor from Sisaket province died in the July 14 Ladprao beer bar fire in Bangkok, leaving his father—the family's sole breadwinner—grieving and demanding accountability from the bar owner for allegedly blocking emergency
A grieving father has lost his 21-year-old son, Somphong Sriphaung from Kantharalak District, Sisaket Province, in the devastating Ladprao beer bar fire on July 14, 2025. The fire killed and injured numerous people, with three victims from Sisaket province. Somphong was a hardworking young man who had traveled to Bangkok to work as a rice steamer vendor to support his family.
The family's home is a modest single-story concrete house with cloth-covered window frames instead of glass to keep out rain, and the interior is cramped and deteriorating. Relatives and neighbors have gathered to prepare the funeral arrangements, while local officials and a mental health support team from Kantharalak District have visited to offer condolences.
Somphong's 43-year-old father, Muean Siphaung, revealed he has two children—one son and one daughter. Somphong was the eldest and his family's main breadwinner. The father last spoke to his son on Friday, when they chatted cheerfully as usual. Learning of the fire around 4-5 a.m. and then hearing his son had died was devastating.
"We had no warning or sense of danger," the father said. "I believe this tragedy was caused by negligence. From what I've heard, the beer bar blocked the emergency exit door, fearing customers would leave without paying. I am deeply upset and angry. I want to see the scene myself and believe the owner and those responsible must be held accountable and provide compensation. I want to tell my son that I love him most of all. If I could, I would ask to die in his place instead." He asked that his son find peace in the afterlife.
The Kantharalak District Chief announced that the Sisaket Governor's office will provide initial financial assistance to affected families. Community leaders and residents will also help with funeral arrangements and provide emotional support to all three bereaved families. Mental health teams from Kantharalak Hospital will continue monitoring the families' wellbeing, and he urged all affected families to find strength and move forward through this tragedy.
