snoop1130 Posted December 26, 2024 Posted December 26, 2024 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 2
Henk Langeweg Posted December 26, 2024 Posted December 26, 2024 Untimely but not a bad way to go ... 3 2
Popular Post OneMoreFarang Posted December 26, 2024 Popular Post Posted December 26, 2024 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. 7 13 2 2 1
Popular Post The Cyclist Posted December 26, 2024 Popular Post Posted December 26, 2024 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. 9 1 2 1
Popular Post Nick Carter icp Posted December 26, 2024 Popular Post Posted December 26, 2024 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 ? 3 22 1 1 1
Popular Post connda Posted December 26, 2024 Popular Post Posted December 26, 2024 Do stupid stuff, win stupid prized. Welcome to The Darwin Awards. 2 11 1 2
bubblegum Posted December 26, 2024 Posted December 26, 2024 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. 1 5 1
Popular Post OneMoreFarang Posted December 26, 2024 Popular Post Posted December 26, 2024 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? 2 3 1 1
Popular Post Upnotover Posted December 26, 2024 Popular Post Posted December 26, 2024 Rich guy drinks himself to death, not the first. Hard to find sympathy for the greedy. 1 3 4 1
Popular Post TheAppletons Posted December 26, 2024 Popular Post Posted December 26, 2024 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. 5 8 2 1
Popular Post simon43 Posted December 26, 2024 Popular Post Posted December 26, 2024 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... 1 7 1 1 1
NorthernRyland Posted December 26, 2024 Posted December 26, 2024 Sad to see young men dying for nothing. Many such stories. RIP.
MalcolmB Posted December 26, 2024 Posted December 26, 2024 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 ? 3
Popular Post wavodavo Posted December 26, 2024 Popular Post Posted December 26, 2024 Not sad...bloody stupid if you ask me.If brains were dynamite there would'nt be enough to blow his hat off !!!!!!! 5 1 1
Popular Post hotchilli Posted December 26, 2024 Popular Post Posted December 26, 2024 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 1 1 1
Popular Post neeray Posted December 26, 2024 Popular Post Posted December 26, 2024 A few words come to mind after reading this article: stupidity, irresponsibility, bullying, culpability, accessory, sad, senseless, ........ 1 3
hellohello123 Posted December 26, 2024 Posted December 26, 2024 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 Posted December 26, 2024 Posted December 26, 2024 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?
Popular Post steven100 Posted December 26, 2024 Popular Post Posted December 26, 2024 Famous Thai influencer ? never heard of him ... stupid stunt for money anyway. 3 2
Srikcir Posted December 26, 2024 Posted December 26, 2024 If his grandmother is still living I hope some of Bank's estate goes to her.
J Branche Posted December 26, 2024 Posted December 26, 2024 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. 1 1
Woke to Sounds Posted December 27, 2024 Posted December 27, 2024 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 Posted December 27, 2024 Posted December 27, 2024 Poor guy. I hope you made enough to pay for your funeral.
PJ71 Posted December 27, 2024 Posted December 27, 2024 13 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said: 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? He already had a lot of money therefore it's quite obvious the guy is a fool. Another one wanting their 15 mins of fame, well guess what - he's got it. 1
The Old Bull Posted December 27, 2024 Posted December 27, 2024 14 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. Stupid, could have dumped out the booze and put water in the bottle ,how would anyone know if he was doing it on line. 1
PJ71 Posted December 27, 2024 Posted December 27, 2024 4 minutes ago, The Old Bull said: Stupid, could have dumped out the booze and put water in the bottle ,how would anyone know if he was doing it on line. Yeah, coz if you were paying someone a lot of money for this stunt you'd definately not check the liquor?? lol
Woke to Sounds Posted December 27, 2024 Posted December 27, 2024 1 hour ago, J Branche said: I believe the drinking challenge was him again seeking acceptance, the desire to be liked, and to feel important. I wanna be liked! Therefore, next Tuesday at 4:30 pm Thailand time I'm organising a live streaming Drink-A-Thon: Woke To Sounds Of Drinking. For 60,000,000 THB I will drink bottles of Chang for 10 minutes. I'll not be doing any rapping. Get yer sponsorship in folks. 2
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