On July 13, Banrung Wattana, a volunteer rescue worker with the Por Tek Tung Foundation, shared a detailed account of the devastating beer hall fire in the Ladphrao area of Bangkok. Rescue teams from multiple organizations mobilized immediately but initially could not reach the scene due to the intense flames. Once they entered the building, they encountered a heartbreaking sight: many victims were severely charred, and some showed signs of struggling to escape the heat, making identification impossible without forensic examination. Most bodies were found near the stage and bathrooms, while some unconscious but living victims were discovered near exits.

Banrung noted that although the venue had four exits, only two could be used as the fire raged with such intensity that flames shot out of doorways and heat scorched trees outside. Inside, panic erupted as crowds tried to flee, with many trampling each other and those near the fire unable to escape the flames. Regarding the cause, Banrung speculated it may have involved faulty electrical wiring near the stage or music equipment connections, possibly a short circuit or loose plug, compounded by inadequate safety systems. Musicians reported seeing smoke, hearing an explosion, and then losing power before flames spread rapidly.

Banrung emphasized that opening all four exits simultaneously could have saved more lives and criticized the practice of limiting exits to prevent customers from leaving without paying. He stressed that in emergencies, human safety must be the priority. Rescue workers had to wear full protective gear and air tanks while working inside due to thick smoke and toxic fumes, with some experiencing fainting spells. The operation confirmed 27 deaths inside the building and eight injured transported to hospitals. Banrung warned that despite Thailand's history of such fires and repeated discussions about lessons learned, business operators must finally take safety seriously.

Following the deadly fire at Na Ladprao Brewery in the early hours of 13 July 2026, experts have highlighted the dangers of flashover and backdraft—two fire phenomena capable of turning an enclosed blaze into a deadly explosion within seconds.

The blaze claimed 27 lives and left 71 others injured. Video footage captured during the incident showed flames violently bursting from the venue's entrance, with initial speculation suggesting that gas accumulated inside the enclosed kitchen area ignited, triggering a powerful fireball.

According to information published by the Samsen Fire and Rescue Station, the two phenomena are among the most dangerous hazards firefighters face.

What is flashover?

A flashover occurs when combustible gases and vapours generated by a fire accumulate inside an enclosed space. Heat and smoke collect beneath the ceiling, and as temperatures continue to rise, intense radiant heat spreads downward.

Eventually, combustible materials throughout the room release flammable gases until they reach their auto-ignition temperature, causing nearly everything in the room to ignite simultaneously in a matter of seconds.

Fire gas ignition

Fire gas ignition occurs when flames reach accumulated flammable vapours that already contain enough oxygen to ignite. These vapours can travel through ventilation ducts, utility shafts and other openings, spreading into different parts of a building. They may accumulate above ceilings, beneath staircases or in concealed spaces, where they can ignite instantly if exposed to a spark.

What is backdraft?

A backdraft is an explosive fire event caused when fresh oxygen suddenly enters an enclosed area where a fire has consumed most of the available oxygen but remains extremely hot. Also known as a smoke explosion, the phenomenon occurs when a door, window or other opening allows air to rush into the room. The incoming oxygen mixes with hot combustible gases, leading to an explosive ignition.

Warning signs of an impending backdraft

Fire authorities say several warning signs may indicate that a backdraft is about to occur:

- Thick, dense black smoke - Smoke moving in and out through cracks around doors and windows - Smoke being forced out under pressure - A small, tightly enclosed room or building with poor ventilation - Extremely hot walls or building surfaces

What happens before a backdraft?

Before a backdraft occurs, smoke may appear to pulse in and out through openings while the room fills with superheated gases, carbon monoxide and other flammable vapours. When a door is opened, pressurised smoke rushes outward as cooler outside air is drawn in near floor level. The fresh oxygen gradually mixes with carbon monoxide and other combustible gases before reaching the remaining flames. Once the mixture reaches its ignition range, the fire rapidly reignites, travelling back toward the incoming air supply.

On July 13, 2025, it was reported that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will preside over a police commission meeting on July 22, 2025 at 1 p.m. in the Sriyanon conference room to appoint the 16th national police chief. The appointment process is governed by the 2022 Police Act and national police commission regulations, which mandate a merit-based system. Under Article 78(1), the prime minister selects candidates based on seniority, knowledge, competence, and particularly investigation and crime prevention experience. The commission must then recommend a candidate to the prime minister for royal approval under Article 77(1).

Four deputy chiefs are eligible: General Nirandon Luemsri with 21 years at senior rank, General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot with 23 years, General Samran Nualma with 15 years, and General Itthiphol Atchchariyapradit with 20 years. Generals Nirandon and Samran are the leading candidates by seniority, with retirement dates in 2028 and 2033 respectively. As of now, the prime minister has not signaled a preference among the four candidates. Before the formal meeting, current National Police Chief General Kittipat Pancharoen and all four deputy chiefs are expected to meet with the committee to discuss details and legal matters before the commission votes on the 16th police chief.

ICC, part of the Pruksa group, views the custom home construction market as having strong growth potential, especially among landowners in major provincial cities seeking quality homes on their own land. Plantery by Pruksa is positioning itself to capture the 140-billion-baht provincial custom home market, drawing on Pruksa's three decades of residential development expertise.

Piya Prayong, CEO of InnoHome Construction Limited (ICC), the service provider behind Plantery by Pruksa, notes that the custom home market continues to expand beyond Bangkok. Data from the Home Building Association shows the provincial custom home market is worth over 14 billion baht, representing about 77% of the national market, while Bangkok and its surrounding areas account for 23%. This reflects that opportunities are growing in economically significant provinces nationwide.

Top custom home construction areas by volume include Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Samut Prakan, and Pathum Thani—all regions with economic potential, residential demand, and expanding urban populations. Plantery by Pruksa is expanding service centers to these major cities to serve customers seeking reliable builders with clear processes, quality oversight, and project completion guarantees.

"Today's custom home customers don't decide based solely on design or price," Piya explains. "They prioritize builder credibility, budget clarity, construction timelines, material quality, and delivery standards."

Landowners in major cities with available capital increasingly demand builders they can trust to complete projects professionally. Plantery by Pruksa applies Pruksa's 30 years of residential development experience as a one-stop service, helping customers plan confidently while reducing risks from budget overruns, delays, and construction quality issues.

The company positions itself as a comprehensive custom home service covering consultation, design, budgeting, construction planning, quality control, and handover. It offers over 100 house designs customizable to lifestyle, land size, and family needs. A key strength is operating show homes where customers can experience actual build quality, functionality, materials, and atmosphere firsthand.

Plantery by Pruksa is developing new home products to meet diverse customer needs, launching in Q3 this year. The focus emphasizes value, transparency, quality, and confidence over price competition alone.

The company has also partnered with Grand Home nationwide to offer special benefits to Grand Home members, including an additional 100,000-baht discount and free professional architectural layout planning, plus complimentary land surveys, making it easier and more affordable for landowners to begin building plans.

The Comptroller General's Department has revised procurement regulations to screen construction contractors serving the public sector with new penalties including rank demotion and delisting. Director Patricia Mongkolvanic revealed that the Finance Ministry has issued a regulation on public procurement and state asset management (Version 3, B.E. 2569) to assess the performance and capability of construction contractors working on government projects while establishing penalties for those who breach contracts, fail to meet engineering standards, or are grossly negligent, causing harm to public life or state property.

Key provisions include:

1. Applicability: The regulation applies to construction projects worth 5 million baht or more under six agencies including the Irrigation Department, Department of Highways, Department of Rural Roads, Port Authority, Department of Water Resources, and Department of Public Works and Town Planning; high-rise buildings, mega-structures, and public assembly buildings; and all construction projects valued at 1,000 million baht or more with notices and invitations published and contracts signed from July 10, 2569 onward.

2. Assessment Criteria and Damage Scores: Divided into two periods—during contract execution and during defect warranty—with damage scores assigned for various violations such as contract termination under Section 103 (60 points), work not meeting engineering standards or gross negligence causing death (60 points) or serious injury (30 points).

3. Suspension of Proposals and Contracts: Damage scores accumulate and are used to evaluate contractors. If scores reach suspension thresholds, contractors are barred from submitting proposals or entering contracts with state agencies for subsequent projects, with penalties up to 720 days. If a contractor was previously suspended within two years and accumulates additional damage scores, the previous suspension period is deducted from the new one.

4. Appeals and Score Correction: Contractors may appeal assessment results to state agencies within seven working days of receiving scores through the e-GP system. Damage scores are deleted after two years from publication; if a court rules the contractor is not at fault, the score is deleted immediately.

5. Rank Reduction and Delisting: Contractors with 120 or more damage points face rank reduction by one level at set intervals (maximum penalty 1,440 days). After the reduction period, contractors may request reinstatement if they meet standard registration criteria. Contractors reduced to the lowest rank or those in serious cases—such as negligence causing death—may be delisted but can reapply after two years.