BANGKOK, Thailand – A massive fire destroyed an auto parts warehouse in Chatuchak on Sunday and spread to a packed neighboring hotel. More than ten hotel rooms were damaged, guests fled. Now the warehouse owner and hotel management argue over a possible cause: a carelessly thrown cigarette butt.
The fire broke out just after 10 a.m. at Rian Thong Auto Parts on Soi Ratchadaphisek 36. That Sunday the warehouse was unoccupied due to a holiday — no staff on site.
Emergency calls reached Phaholyothin Police Station at 10.27 a.m. Thick black smoke rolled through the neighborhood within minutes, flames racing through the single-story building.
Warehouse owner points at cigarette butt
Owner Anawat Lanpromthong said the fire started behind his warehouse on the boundary with the YOU Hotel. He said he had earlier this year seen a fire in that same area.
He thinks a hotel guest may have thrown a burning cigarette out of a window. But he warned against jumping to conclusions. He called on police to conduct a full forensic investigation.
Hotel manager fires back
Hotel building manager Mrs. Pae, 39, flatly rejected that claim. She said there had never been any complaint about discarded cigarettes or any earlier fire.
She said the balconies and the warehouse were separated by such a large gap that a cigarette would have to be deliberately thrown. Also, many guests were night owls still sleeping when the fire started.
Oil-fed flames made firefighting a nightmare
The warehouse held hundreds of used engines and vehicle parts. Old engine oil in the stored parts fed the fire, the flames growing more intense.
Narrow access roads also delayed the arrival of larger fire engines. Firefighters from six stations plus volunteers from Ruam Katanyu Foundation fought the flames for over an hour before bringing the blaze under control at 11.20 a.m.
Guests evacuated in time with key cards
A housekeeper spotted the flames first behind the motorbike parking area and immediately raised the alarm. Hotel staff contacted every occupied room using electronic key cards and told guests to leave the building.
At the same time, workers moved electric vehicles and cars away from the property boundary. Despite the scale of the fire, all guests escaped unhurt — no casualties, no injuries.
Hotel closes for repairs, refunds in motion
A room on the second floor directly opposite the warehouse was destroyed. About ten more rooms suffered damage to windows, balconies, curtains, and furniture. The neighboring Prompto Condo Ratchada 32 was also damaged. The hotel will suspend operations for about seven days.
Refunds for displaced guests are being organised — the process should take about two days. Monthly tenants are getting support from the district office. Arriving guests are being placed in partner hotels. The hotel publicly apologised to all affected.
Bangkok orders inspections of similar sites
Bangkok Deputy Permanent Secretary Thaiwut Khankaew inspected the fire site and received briefings from emergency crews. He confirmed the warehouse had the necessary operating permits.
Still, the governor of Bangkok ordered district offices to inspect similar developments in the capital for fire safety violations. A complaint centre will be set up near the hotel to assist affected victims.
Forensic experts hunt for clues amid conflicting stories
Police Colonel Arthit Phromnok stressed that no conclusion about the fire’s cause can be drawn yet. Witness statements contradict each other on key points — every detail must be independently verified.
Forensic specialists are examining the scene, reviewing surveillance footage, and interviewing witnesses. Only after the report is complete will it be clear whether negligence, a technical defect, or another cause sparked the large fire.