Band Leader Speaks of Love and Loss After Bangkok Bar Fire

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.