The death toll from the tragic fire at a Ladprao pub-restaurant has risen to 34 after another victim succumbed to injuries in hospital, the Bangkok Emergency Medical Service Centre reported on Sunday morning.
The tragedy, which struck the popular establishment near Ladprao Soi 1 in the Chatuchak district on July 12, has also left 80 people injured.
According to the latest update, issued at 9am today, 47 patients have been discharged, while 23 remain in hospital, of whom 13 are in a critical condition in intensive care and 10 are recovering in general wards.
The latest fatality, the seventh victim to die while in hospital, passed away at 5am this morning in the ICU of Phramongkutklao Hospital.
Labour Minister Julapun Amornvivat expressed deep condolences and ordered the Social Security Office (SSO) to deploy officials immediately to expedite compensation payments and medical benefits for the victims and their families.
SSO Secretary General Kanchana Poolkaew has tasked inspection teams and directors from the Bangkok Social Security Office Area 2 with visiting the injured in various hospitals to streamline administrative processes and fast-track financial assistance.
A preliminary database review indicates that 22 of the deceased were registered workers covered under the social security system, with their legal heirs entitled to various compensation packages based on their registration status.
For the families of the eight deceased workers insured under Section 33, as well as the single victim under Section 39, the SSO will provide a 50,000-baht funeral allowance alongside accumulated old-age pension benefits. The heirs of the four victims under Section 40, alongside the families of seven former insured individuals, will receive old-age pension payouts according to legal criteria and past contributions.
Two of the deceased were migrant workers from Laos, whose deaths have been classified as work-related accidents. Their families will receive comprehensive coverage from the Workmen's Compensation Fund, consisting of a 50,000-baht funeral allowance, a monthly compensation equivalent to 70% of their monthly wage paid over a period of 10 years and their accumulated old-age pension.
Local social security officials are currently travelling to the victims' registered hometowns to hand over the financial aid packages to their families.
