Thailand recorded 32 million visitors from January 1 to December 1, 2024
The Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department confirmed that the fire occurred on the 5th floor of the 6-storey Ember Hotel. One female guest died at the scene, while two male guests were taken to the hospital and the doctor declared death there.
Authorities are still in the process of verifying the nationality of the foreigners who died in the hotel fire.
Ember Hotel is located near Khao San Road, a Western neighborhood popular among backpackers and famous for its cheap hostels and crowded bars.
“Authorities responded quickly and the fire alarm was activated. However, the fire spread too quickly,” Reuters quoted Bangkok leader Chadchart Sittipunt as saying at a press conference on December 30.
He said a total of 75 people were present in the hotel at the time, 34 of whom were rescued from the rooftop. An inspection of emergency exits at hotels and entertainment venues was launched throughout the city.
“We have to build trust and take care of tourists,” according to Mr. Chadchart.
Tourism is the main driver for Southeast Asia’s second largest economy. Thailand recorded 32 million visitors from January 1 to December 1, 2024, an increase of 28% over the same period last year, and earned 1,500 billion baht (43.6 billion USD) during this period.
In 2019, just before the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of visitors to Thailand reached a record of nearly 40 million.
