Three people—an American, a Brazilian, and a Ukrainian—lost their lives in a hotel fire near Bangkok’s popular backpacker district on Sunday night, with seven others receiving treatment in hospital, authorities reported.
The fire started on the fifth floor of the six-story Ember Hotel, located close to the Khao San area, a well-known hotspot for backpackers, bars, and hostels. A Brazilian woman was confirmed dead at the scene, while an American and a Ukrainian man passed away in the hospital, police stated on Monday. Investigations into the cause of the fire are underway.
Bangkok’s Governor Chadchart Sittipunt shared that despite a quick response and the sounding of fire alarms, the smoke spread rapidly. The hostel had 75 people inside, and 34 were rescued from the rooftop. Following the incident, the governor ordered a city-wide inspection of fire escape routes in hotels and entertainment venues to ensure tourist safety. “We have to build confidence and take care of tourists,” he said. Tourism remains a major contributor to Thailand’s economy, with 32 million foreign arrivals recorded from January to December 1, 2024.
