On Sunday evening (December 29), a fire broke out at a hotel near the popular backpacker area in Bangkok, Thailand. The police said on Monday (December 30) that the fire resulted in the deaths of three foreigners, including an American.
According to Reuters, seven people were injured and receiving treatment at the hospital. The Associated Press reported that five people were injured, including a Japanese woman in critical condition. The injured also include individuals from Germany and Thailand.
The Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department stated that the fire occurred on the fifth floor of the six-story Ember Hotel located near Bangkok’s Khao San area, well-known for its bars and hostels.
In a statement on Monday, the police mentioned that a Brazilian woman died at the scene, while two men—a American and a Ukrainian—were pronounced dead at the hospital. The authorities added that they are currently investigating the cause of the fire.
Bangkok’s Mayor, Chadchart Sittipunt, told reporters on Sunday evening, “The authorities responded swiftly, but the smoke spread rapidly.”
In his statement on Monday, he mentioned that at the time of the incident, there were a total of 75 people inside the hotel, with 34 individuals rescued from the rooftop. He has ordered inspections of fire escape routes in hotels and entertainment venues across the city.
“We must build confidence and take care of tourists,” said the Bangkok Mayor.
The tourism industry is a key driver of the economy in Thailand, the second-largest economy in Southeast Asia. From January 1 to December 1, 2024, Thailand welcomed 32 million foreign tourists, a 28% increase compared to the same period last year.
In 2019, before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of visitors reached nearly a record-breaking 40 million.
On Monday, Sanga Ruangwattanakul, the chairman of the Khao San Business Association, stood outside the damaged Ember Hotel where the fire occurred, inspecting the situation. He mentioned that an estimated 20,000 people are expected to participate in the New Year’s Eve countdown event on Tuesday night.
“Now everyone is fearful of what has happened, worried that it will affect tomorrow’s activities. But there is absolutely no need to worry because we have already had meetings with the police station, and more than 150 police officers and local staff will be responsible for security in Khao San,” he said.