The Tiger Disco fire occurred in the early hours of Friday, 17 August 2012, in the resort town of Patong. The incident took place at the Tiger Discotheque on Bangla Road, a major nightlife area frequented by both tourists and local residents. The fire resulted in four fatalities and caused injuries to at least eleven other individuals.

The blaze broke out shortly before 4:00 a.m., after the venue’s official closing time. At the time of the incident, it was reported that approximately 70 to 80 people were inside the building, many of whom had entered the premises to seek shelter from heavy rainfall and a thunderstorm. The fire spread rapidly through the structure, severely limiting opportunities for escape.

Investigations suggested that the most likely cause of the fire was a lightning strike that struck a nearby electrical transformer, triggering an explosion and subsequent ignition within the nightclub. The rapid progression of the fire was exacerbated by the extensive use of flammable construction and decorative materials within the venue, which facilitated the swift spread of flames and smoke.

Four individuals lost their lives as a result of the incident. Due to the severity of burn injuries, identification of the victims was initially difficult. The deceased were later confirmed to include two foreign tourists—a 24-year-old British national and a 30-year-old French national—as well as two Thai nationals aged 34 and 36. At least eleven others sustained injuries, among them several French nationals.

In the aftermath, legal proceedings were initiated against the owner of the Tiger Group, who was charged with gross negligence causing death and with operating the establishment outside permitted hours. The trial commenced in April 2015. The Tiger Disco fire intensified existing concerns regarding inadequate fire safety provisions and regulatory enforcement within Thailand’s entertainment sector, particularly in light of earlier high-profile nightclub fires, including the Santika Club disaster in Bangkok in 2009.