In brief
The devastating blaze at Bangkok’s Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao bar claimed 33 lives, including 11 members of the indie band Thotsakan. Front‑man Athipat Wichan, who lost his girlfriend Nahathai along with three fellow musicians, recounts the terrifying moments she was caught in the inferno. In the aftermath, he expresses deep regret over involving her in the band, yet reaffirms his love. Wichan also voices concerns about safety protocols in Thailand’s entertainment spaces and urges the band to recover while honoring their fallen members.
When the stage at Bangkok’s Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao bar erupted into flames, 11 members of the indie group Thotsakan were trapped inside. The blaze left 33 people dead, 15 critically injured, and claimed the lives of front‑man Athipat Wichan’s girlfriend Nahathai along with vocalist Thitiwat Kaewkanha, keyboardist Pruttipong Phutmon and drummer Nathaphat Thammanitha.
“That was the moment I was on stage and I could feel the heat, then the fire rushed in. I scrambled to find the exit but the flames gushed in as soon as I reached it,” Athipat told a BBC Thai reporter.
Wichan thinks about the song he had started on that night. He laments that he let Nahathai into the group, saying “I shouldn’t have let you be here.” Yet he is determined to continue loving her spirit, adding “I want to say that I love her very much and will keep loving her every day.”
The tragedy highlighted long‑standing concerns about fire safety in Thai venues. Athipat notes that some fire exits were locked and there was insufficient signage, raising questions about enforcement by regulatory agencies.
He says the band will grieve for a season but eventually will re‑establish its balance. “We may be disoriented right now, but we will rebuild,” he told reporters.
Deeply shaken, Athipat and other survivors are reflecting on the safety of performance venues, with some members questioning whether they should continue touring. “I need to think about protecting my family, including my toddler,” a guitarist recalled.
He hopes the last image that will stay with him is “the smiles of the bar‑goers enjoying our music,” underscoring the poignancy of the loss.
