I thought we’d grow old together, says band leader whose girlfriend died in Thai bar inferno
Nahathai Satjalert, who sang for Thai indie band Thotsakan, was among the four band members killed in the fire
One moment, Athipat Wichan was playing around with song ideas offstage while watching his band perform in front of a crowd at a bar in Bangkok. The next moment a raging fire engulfed the stage and knocked out the electricity, prompting him to run for his life.
“I searched around until I found the entrance to the door, but as soon as I reached there, the flames rushed towards me,” Athipat told BBC Thai a day later. deadly fire The incident in Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao caused the death of 33 people and seriously injured 15 people.
“I almost didn’t make it in time.”
The tragedy hit Athipat’s group, Thotsakan, especially hard.
Four of the 11 members (female vocalist Nahathai Satjalert, male vocalist Thitiwat Kaewkanha, keyboardist Pruttipong Phutmon and drummer Nathaphat Thammanitha) are among the dead.
Nahathai was also Athipat’s girlfriend.
Athipat says he regrets bringing his girlfriend Nahathai (left) into the group [Thotsakan]
“I dreamed that we would be together until I grow old, that he would scold me until I grow old, but I can’t hear his voice anymore.”
The 32-year-old group leader spoke to BBC Thai at Nahathai’s funeral, with monks chanting in the background. Many people in the funeral hall were stunned with grief. Several members of Thotsakan were also present.
Emotional Athipat says he regrets bringing his girlfriend to the group. “I shouldn’t have let you be here…
“I want to apologize and tell her that I love her very much and will continue to love her every day.”
Athipat, who was injured in his head and arms, is also devastated due to the death of his bandmates.
Drummer Nathaphat had joined the band only a month ago, while keyboardist Pruttipong was about to leave the band.
Vocalist Thitiwat had talked about celebrating Athipat’s birthday on Sunday. “Instead of celebrating my birthday, we held a funeral,” says Athipat.
Athipat founded the band when he was 20 years old. An avid fan of Thai literature, he named the group Thotsakan, the archenemy of the national epic Ramakien.
After performing with Thotsakan for five years, Athipat took a break and joined another group. However, this only lasted a few months until the band decided to revive Thotsakan, their “second phase”, with a new roster of musicians.
Most of the 11 members who were aboard Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao when the fire broke out on Monday had come on board during this “second phase”.
The band had encountered electrical problems before when performing at other venues, but had never encountered a fire like this.
33 people died and 15 were seriously injured in the inferno [Getty Images]
Thotsakan’s guitarist Chanate Trasing says he initially mixed the smoke with dry ice used in stage performances.
However, when he saw that the ice was rapidly spinning instead of spreading like dry ice, he dropped his guitar, jumped off the stage, and started running.
“It smelled like burning plastic. It burned my nose,” Chanate recalls.
He also recalls seeing keyboardist Pruttipong “looking left and right” in the chaos, “as if he didn’t know what to do.”
“When I started running, I thought he was going to chase me. But when I got out, I realized he wasn’t chasing me,” Chanate, who had just collected drummer Nathaphat’s body from the morgue, told BBC Thai.
The deadly inferno has raised familiar questions about fire safety standards across Thailand, especially at entertainment venues.
Thai authorities said they launched an investigation If negligence caused a fireSurvivors reported that the doors were locked and there were no signs indicating emergency exits.
However, there are some questions about whether the relevant government agencies will also be held responsible for not implementing the regulations properly.
Athipat also expresses these concerns. “If only the safety standards of venues were higher, we could have fun like before without worrying about performing.
“I believe that if I or anyone from my band comes on stage these days, they will think this. [the fire] and I feel panicked and uncomfortable,” she says.
Athipat suggests that Thotsakan will suffer their loss for a season. “We may be a little confused, but we’ll regain our balance and get back on track,” he continues, urging fans to look forward to what’s next for the band.
Chanate said she would take time to reconsider whether she should continue performing, given the safety risks and the fact that she has a family to care for, including her toddler.
“If you ask me if I love it, I do. I quit a regular job to focus on music… [But] I need to think again. “I believe everyone has fears,” he says.
The memories of the shocking tragedy will remain with Chanate and the other survivors for the rest of their lives, but the guitarist also wants to remember the last thing he saw just before chaos ensued:
“The smiles of bar patrons enjoying our music.”
