Thai influencer dies after alcohol stunt for 30,000 baht

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

By Nattapong Westwood

 

Bank Leicester, a well-known Thai influencer, has tragically died after being hired to consume an excessive amount of alcohol in exchange for 30,000 baht (US$880). Known for his unique approach of rapping while selling garlands to support his grandmother, Bank had gained significant popularity online. His untimely death occurred at approximately 3.40am, reportedly due to the drinking challenge.

 

Bank, whose real name is Thanakarn Gandhi, was 21 year old. His story of overcoming adversity and poverty had resonated with many. Born into a family of modest means in a slum community, Bank’s parents separated when he was only two months old.

 

By the age of seven, he was selling garlands as his primary income, but his life took a turn when he began incorporating rap into his sales technique. This innovative approach quickly made him famous.

 

Bank’s income from his garland sales often ranged between 6,000 and 10,000 baht (US$175 to 292) per day. However, his path was not without challenges.

 

On one occasion, a group of four teenagers bullied him into eating pork bones, promising to buy all his garlands, only to deceive him afterward. This incident left Bank feeling deeply saddened and reflective about his life.

 

 

His rise to fame was marked by controversy, particularly following his appearance on a popular Thai talk show, where he made several claims involving well-known personalities. Bank spoke of having to drop out of school following a car accident that left him with a disability.

 

Influencer death

 

Despite this, he claimed to have purchased a house worth 10 million baht (US$292,483) and was continuing his education at Sarasas School, funded by a famous producer, Poj Anon. He also boasted a grade point average of 3.1.

 

During the same talk show, Bank alleged interactions with various celebrities, including meeting Moddam Kachapha at the GMM Grammy studio, who purportedly introduced him to Bird Thongchai, a famous Thai singer. Bank claimed Bird had invited him to perform at a concert. Additionally, Bank credited his rapping inspiration to well-known Thai rappers Joey Boy and Twopee.

 

Beyond garland selling, Bank had also worked as a video editor for a YouTube channel, showcasing his versatility. He further claimed to have been an independent actor, involved in several television dramas and films, and mentioned upcoming concerts with the artist Milli in Singapore and England, expressing gratitude for the opportunities he received.

 

However, following the broadcast of the talk show, Poj Anon publicly criticised the program for inviting Bank without verifying his background or the veracity of his claims. Poj Anon clarified that he had never supported or even met Bank, reported KhaoSod.

 

Similarly, another celebrity, Tukky Ching Roi, stated that Bank had visited the Workpoint studio and taken photos with famous personalities, which he then reportedly used to falsely associate himself with them.

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2024-12-26

 

 

[Henk Langeweg]

Untimely but not a bad way to go ...

[OneMoreFarang]

16 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

after being hired to consume an excessive amount of alcohol

Who hired him?

How excessive?

If it was really excessive then everybody involved must have known that there is a big health risk. Was there any doctor consulted and/or on standby?

 

Obviously, he should not have drunk so much. But I think the people who hired him to do that should be held responsible.

[The Cyclist]

3 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

But I think the people who hired him to do that should be held responsible.

 

Responsibility and accountability are 2 words that seem to be disappering.

 

Not limited to Thailand.

[Nick Carter icp]

The relevant points of the story are missing .

Details of the drinking bit are missing .

Who paid him the money and how much alcohol was involved ?

[connda]

Do stupid stuff, win stupid prized.  Welcome to The Darwin Awards. 

[bubblegum]

He was online and people paid him to drink. At one point he said stop ! Enough is enough, I cannot drink more but the money kept coming in, forcing him to drink more and more.

[cdemundo]

Sad.

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, connda said:

Do stupid stuff, win stupid prized.  Welcome to The Darwin Awards. 

It depends.

How about if that guy was not the smartest person on earth? Should he die because he wanted a lot of money?

The people who offered the money obviously knew there was a risk, otherwise they would not have offered so much money.

It's all the question of how much. I am pretty sure I would try a lot of things if the money is right. How about  you? 

[Upnotover]

Rich guy drinks himself to death, not the first.  Hard to find sympathy for the greedy.

[TheAppletons]

1 hour ago, Upnotover said:

Rich guy drinks himself to death, not the first.  Hard to find sympathy for the greedy.

 

  If you're willing to drink yourself to death for 30,000 thb, you're not rich.

[simon43]

4 hours ago, bubblegum said:

He was online and people paid him to drink. At one point he said stop ! Enough is enough, I cannot drink more but the money kept coming in, forcing him to drink more and more.

He wasn't forced to do anything.  He chose to kill himself by consuming excessive alcohol.  End of...

[NorthernRyland]

Sad to see young men dying for nothing. Many such stories. RIP.

[MalcolmB]

5 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

The relevant points of the story are missing .

Details of the drinking bit are missing .

Who paid him the money and how much alcohol was involved ?

 

[wavodavo]

Not sad...bloody stupid if you ask me.If brains were dynamite there would'nt be enough to blow his hat off !!!!!!!

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Bank Leicester, a well-known Thai influencer, has tragically died after being hired to consume an excessive amount of alcohol in exchange for 30,000 baht

[neeray]

A few words come to mind after reading this article: stupidity, irresponsibility, bullying, culpability, accessory, sad, senseless,  ........ 

[hellohello123]

Definitely not limited to Thai/young men/poor people. Seems to be for anyone wanting their 15 mins of fame by doing something dumb and dangerous for likes on social media.

 

In fact id say it appears to be more of a thing in the US

[scorecard]

13 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Who hired him?

How excessive?

If it was really excessive then everybody involved must have known that there is a big health risk. Was there any doctor consulted and/or on standby?

 

Obviously, he should not have drunk so much. But I think the people who hired him to do that should be held responsible.

Agree.

Is there any report of what he drank / how much he drank / how quickly he drank it?

[scorecard]

7 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

 

Good points.

[steven100]

Famous Thai influencer  ? 

 

never heard of him ...   stupid stunt for money anyway.   

[Srikcir]

If his grandmother is still living I hope some of Bank's estate goes to her. 

[J Branche]

Seems like everyone he wanted to be liked and feel important and told a few tales along the way.

 

I believe the drinking challenge was him again seeking acceptance, the desire to be liked, and to feel important.

 

RIP, I'm very fortunate to have learned I have to just accept who I am and enjoy life.  We all choose to be happy or sad.  We all will struggle at some point in life. Try laughing, joking and spreading joy to others and enjoy life.

[Woke to Sounds of Horking]

Got his "Likes" alright.

 

Maybe some of the drink was the Laos methanol?

 

Regardless - might be a new massive revenue generating stream here to be capitalised on, with dare videos?

 

How to monetise?

[GoodieAfterDark]

Poor guy. I hope you made enough to pay for your funeral.