A Survivor’s Tale: Band Leader Loses Girlfriend and Three Bandmates in Bangkok Inferno

He escaped the Bangkok bar inferno – One moment, Athipat Wichan was composing musical ideas backstage while observing his ensemble perform before an enthusiastic audience. The following instant, raging flames consumed the performance area and darkness fell as electricity failed, forcing him to flee for survival. Speaking with BBC Thai shortly after the catastrophic blaze at Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao, the 32-year-old band leader recounted his narrow escape. “I fumbled around until I found the entrance to the door, but flames shot towards me as soon as I reached it,” Athipat told BBC Thai a day after the deadly blaze at Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao, which left 33 people dead and 15 others critically injured. “I almost didn’t make it out in time.”

A Devastating Loss for Thotsakan

The tragedy struck Athipat’s musical family with particular force. Among the eleven musicians who performed that evening, four perished in the flames. Female vocalist Nahathai Satjalert, male vocalist Thitiwat Kaewkanha, keyboardist Pruttipong Phutmon, and drummer Nathaphat Thammanitha all lost their lives. Nahathai held a special place in Athipat’s heart as his romantic partner.

“I had imagined us being together until we’re old, her scolding me until we’re old, but now I can’t hear her voice any more.”

At Nahathai’s funeral service, Athipat addressed reporters while monks chanted solemnly in the background. The funeral hall filled with mourners overcome with sorrow, including several fellow band members who had survived. An emotional Athipat expressed deep regret about his decision to include his girlfriend in the group.

“I shouldn’t have let you be here… I want to apologise and I want to say that I love her very much and will continue to love her every day.”

Athipat sustained injuries to his head and arms during the evacuation. He remains heartbroken over the loss of his musical companions. Nathaphat, the drummer, had recently joined the ensemble just one month prior, while Pruttipong, the keyboardist, was preparing to depart. Thitiwat had been discussing plans to celebrate Athipat’s birthday on Sunday.

“Instead of celebrating my birthday, we ended up arranging a funeral,” Athipat says.

The Band’s Journey and the Night of Fire

Athipat established Thotsakan when he was twenty years old. Drawing inspiration from Thai literature, he chose the name Thotsakan after the principal antagonist in the national epic Ramakien. Following five years of performances with the original lineup, Athipat stepped away temporarily to join a different musical group. That experience lasted only several months before he chose to resurrect Thotsakan with fresh musicians for what he called “phase two.” The majority of the eleven members present at Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao had joined during this renewed period.

While the band had experienced electrical difficulties at previous venues, nothing compared to this devastating fire. Guitarist Chanate Trasing remembered the final moments before his escape. “The last thing Chanate Trasing remembers seeing before jumping off stage was ‘the smiles of the bar-goers enjoying our music’.” Initially, Chanate believed the smoke originated from dry ice commonly used during stage shows. However, noticing how it moved rapidly rather than dispersing gradually, he abandoned his instrument and leaped from the stage.

“It smelled like plastic burning. It stung my nose,” Chanate recounts.

He also recalled seeing keyboardist Pruttipong “looking left and right” in the chaos “like he didn’t know what to do”. “When I started running, I thought he would chase after me. It was only when I got out that I realised he didn’t,” said Chanate, who had just collected drummer Nathaphat’s body from the mortuary when he spoke to BBC Thai.

Questions About Safety Standards

The Bangkok bar fire represents the city’s most recent tragic blaze, prompting renewed discussion about safety regulations. Thai authorities announced investigations into potential negligence, as survivors mentioned locked doors and insufficient emergency exit signage. Critics also questioned whether government agencies failed to enforce existing regulations properly.

“I wish venues had higher safety standards so when we perform, we can enjoy ourselves like before without having to worry. These days, I believe that if I or anyone from my band goes on stage, they’ll think about [the fire] and feel alarmed and uncomfortable,” he says.

Athipat indicated that Thotsakan would mourn their losses for an extended period. “We might be a little” more cautious moving forward, he suggested, as the band processes this profound tragedy together.