Scores die in Thai nightclub fire

He added that more bodies were thought to be in the fire-gutted building and the death toll could rise.

As well as Thai nationals, the dead are thought to include a number of foreigners.

Police officials said causes of death included burns, smoke inhalation and injuries during the stampede to escape from the club.

The building had only one door for entry and exit and bars across several of the windows made escape difficult.

The roof of the building collapsed as a result of the fire.

Local television stations variously reported the cause of the blaze as a firework set off in the New Year celebrations and an electrical fault at the club.