I thought we'd grow old together, says band leader whose girlfriend died in Thai bar inferno
On a quiet evening, band leader Athipat Wichan was working backstage on new riffs when an unseen blaze terrified those onstage. The flames erupted at the guts of the Rong Beer Na bar in Bangkok, consuming the venue and trapping 33 people – among them, Athipat, his girlfriend Nahathai, and fellow band members—who were then reported as fatal. Athipat, now a survivor with injuries to his head and arms, has struggled to reconcile the loss of his love and his friends with the need to carry on.
The local music community, heavily drawn from Thailand’s traditional oral storytelling and the mythic struggle of Ramakien, feels the loss keenly. Thotsakan’s members had formed a new “phase two” lineup, building tight bonds across the band's collective spirit. The death of Nahathai, the band’s female vocalist, is a tragic loss of a voice that brought folk narratives into modern rhythm.
At Nahathai’s funeral, monks sang the chants of the Ramakien, and the mournful atmosphere was punctuated by the image of a loved one who was once a living legend of the community’s folk heritage. Athipat told BBC Thai of the sound of “the smiles of the bar-goers enjoying our music” before the flames broke out, an echo that has become a bitter mnemonic for the risk in joyous gatherings.
The tragedy has prompted authorities to investigate possible negligence: locked doors, absent emergency signs, and a failure to maintain electrical safety. The incident reflects a broader problem with safety culture at public venues in Thailand, a crucial issue for indigenous communities that gather in communal spaces. Athipat calls for stricter safety protocols that would protect artists and audiences alike.
The band will mourn outgoing members for a season, but a strong cultural tradition ensures its survival. Athipat calls on fans to support the rest of Thotsakan in rebuilding their shared music space, honor the memory of those who died, and preserve the intangible cultural heritage ingrained in the band’s rhythms.
