At least 27 people were killed and 73 others injured after a devastating fire tore through a crowded entertainment venue in northern Bangkok late on Sunday, July 12.
According to local media, the blaze at the Na Ladprao pub is Thailand's deadliest building fire in nearly two decades.
Of those injured, at least 25 remain in critical condition in intensive care units across the capital.
"Twenty-seven bodies were moved out. Some were sent to hospitals, and we are checking their conditions," Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told local media.
According to AFP, the fire broke out at about 11pm during a live music performance.
Survivors and emergency officials said smoke was first seen coming from an electrical circuit breaker near the stage. Moments later, the power went out, followed by an explosion that quickly filled the venue with thick black smoke.
Firefighters arrived to find flames engulfing the front of the building and took about 30 minutes to bring the blaze under control.
Athipat Wijarn, a musician who was performing at the time, described scenes of panic as revellers rushed for the exits in complete darkness, with people pushing and trampling one another in a desperate bid to escape.
Wijarn survived despite suffering burns and head injuries, but two of his bandmates, including the lead vocalist and keyboardist, died in the fire.
Footage seen by TNX Africa showed the venue's interior completely gutted, with charred furniture and abandoned shoes scattered near the exits.
Prime Minister Charnvirakul visited the scene and said many of the victims were found in restrooms at the back of the building, where they had apparently sought shelter from the flames.
National Police Chief Kitrat Panphet said investigators are treating possible criminal negligence as a key line of inquiry.
"Most of the people who died were found in the toilets. When the fire broke out, they panicked. There were no lights," Panphet said.
Investigators are examining several possible safety failures, including reports that one of the main exit doors was partially blocked by a large shelf, forcing patrons to leave single file.
Authorities are also looking into the condition of the 50-year-old building's electrical wiring and whether highly flammable decorations contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.
The pub owner, who is among those receiving treatment in intensive care, is expected to be questioned once medically fit.
The tragedy is Thailand's deadliest entertainment venue fire since the 2009 Santika Club disaster in Bangkok, which killed 67 people and injured more than 200 during New Year's Eve celebrations.