BANGKOK, Thailand – Two more victims of the devastating fire at Na Lad Phrao Brewery have died after spending more than a month undergoing treatment, bringing the death toll to 41. One of the latest victims was 31-year-old Thassanai Manprapan, who had been receiving treatment at Taksin Hospital for more than a month after being caught in the blaze. Her partner, Phitsanu, said her condition had initially improved. She had been able to communicate, was taken off a ventilator and no longer required a feeding tube. However, she continued to undergo repeated operations to remove damaged tissue caused by the burns. Her condition deteriorated after a recent operation when she developed bleeding around her lips, followed by severe throat and neck swelling. She later required another operation and was placed back on a ventilator.
Doctors subsequently told the family she had developed a bloodstream infection. Her condition worsened and she required emergency dialysis, but she died at around 10 p.m. on Monday.
Before her death, Phitsanu, her parents and her two children were allowed to say goodbye. He told her that if she still had the strength to fight, she should keep fighting, but if she could no longer do so, she could rest and not worry about their children.
Her children also told their mother they would stay with their father and continue studying.
Phitsanu said the brewery had provided the family with 10,000 baht in assistance through a lawyer following the fire, but no further financial support had been provided. Although medical treatment was covered under Thailand’s healthcare scheme, the family continued to face additional expenses including transportation, diapers and nutritional supplements. He said injured survivors and other families affected by the fire were also facing similar additional costs.
The fire broke out shortly before midnight on July 12 at Na Lad Phrao Brewery in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, with flames spreading rapidly through the packed venue. Witnesses reported smoke near the stage before the power went out, followed by an explosion and thick smoke filling the building. Customers rushed to escape as flames poured from the entrance, while firefighters brought the blaze under control in roughly half an hour. Many victims were later found in the rear areas of the venue, with early findings indicating smoke inhalation was a major cause of death. The tragedy left dozens dead and many others seriously injured, with some victims continuing to fight for their lives in hospital weeks later.
The body of Thassanai was taken from the Police General Hospital’s Institute of Forensic Medicine on Tuesday afternoon and transported to Wat Kunnatee Ruttaram (Huai Khwang Temple), where funeral prayers will be held for three days. Another victim, 43-year-old Khem Meechai, also died, bringing the number of confirmed deaths from the brewery fire to 41. (TNA)
