Thanakarn Kanthee, a 21-year-old influencer, was attending a birthday celebration in the Tha Mai district of Chanthaburi, Thailand, on December 25 when he was presented with a dangerous challenge. As reported by Bangkok Post, Kanthee, known online as “Bank Leicester,” worked selling garlands for a living. At the party, he was dared to consume an entire bottle of whisky in exchange for a cash prize. In an attempt to earn money, he accepted the challenge, which offered him 10,000 baht (around $300) for each 350ml bottle he drank.

The partygoers reportedly egged him on, making the challenge seem like a fun and harmless game. However, this would soon turn tragic. After drinking three bottles and receiving 30,000 baht (over $800), Kanthee began to experience severe physical symptoms. He vomited and then lost consciousness, prompting the attendees to call emergency services. His condition worsened rapidly, and he was rushed to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead at 3:40 AM on December 26.

An Influencer tragically died after being paid $875 to drink an entire bottle of whisky. Credit: Wiratgasem / Getty

It is important to note that Kanthee’s decision to take part in the contest may have been influenced by the financial pressures he faced, as he struggled to support his family. This extreme act, motivated by the promise of money, ended in heartbreak, leading to the devastating loss of a young life.

The Whisky Challenge that Went Horribly Wrong

Thanakarn Kanthee was attending a birthday party in the Tha Mai district of Chanthaburi, Thailand, on the evening of December 25. According to reports by Bangkok Post, the influencer, who made a living selling garlands, was presented with a challenge by partygoers: to drink an entire bottle of whisky in exchange for cash. The offer was hard to resist, as he was promised 10,000 baht (approximately $300) for every 350ml bottle of whisky he consumed.

As reported by The Independent, Kanthee accepted the offer and, after drinking three bottles, was paid 30,000 baht (over $800) for completing the challenge. However, shortly after finishing the bottles, the influencer began to feel the severe effects of alcohol consumption. He vomited and lost consciousness, and was rushed to a nearby hospital. Tragically, he was pronounced dead at 3:40 AM on December 26.

Cause of Death: Acute Heart Failure

The cause of Thanakarn Kanthee’s death was later determined to be acute heart failure. However, authorities are still investigating whether the excessive alcohol consumption played a significant role in the fatal event, and whether any underlying health issues could have contributed. As Thai Enquirer reports, further investigations are being conducted to determine the full circumstances surrounding his death.

Kanthee’s passing has sparked both outrage and sorrow, with many questioning how something as extreme and dangerous as a drinking contest could be allowed to unfold without intervention.

The Arrests and Legal Consequences

In the wake of this tragic incident, Thai police have arrested two individuals in connection with Kanthee’s death. One of the suspects, Ekachart “Em” Meephrom, admitted to daring Kanthee to participate in the drinking challenge but denied any personal involvement or responsibility for the death. Meephrom has been charged with negligence resulting in death and was denied bail by a local court.

As reported by The Nation Thailand, Meephrom’s actions are being scrutinized, with the court ruling that his behavior was reckless. The second individual arrested, Theerawat Srirot, is reportedly from the Pathum Thani province. Both influencers are facing charges, and if it is confirmed that they paid Kanthee to participate in the deadly drinking contest, they could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to 20,000 baht ($580), under Section 291 of Thailand’s Penal Code, which deals with causing death by negligence.

The Sad Reality: Influencers Risking Lives for Money

Thanakarn Kanthee’s tragic death has left many wondering how and why he would engage in such a dangerous challenge. On social media, Kanthee was open about his struggles and the sacrifices he made to support his family, particularly his 80-year-old grandmother, who raised him. As reported by The Independent, Kanthee posted on his social media accounts about the lengths he was willing to go to make money, often referring to his willingness to be “bullied and insulted” in order to earn money from wealthy individuals.

One of his social media posts reads, “I am willing to be bullied and insulted to just get scraps of money from the rich people in order to provide for my family.” This raw and heartbreaking admission sheds light on the desperation that influenced his decisions and his involvement in dangerous online challenges.

Grandmother’s Heartbreaking Words

The loss of her beloved grandson has left Thanakarn’s grandmother devastated. She spoke to reporters about her pain, describing how Kanthee had taken care of their household. “Currently, I live in this house with my son and Thanakarn, just the three of us,” she said. “Thanakarn took care of everything for me. Now that he’s gone, I have no idea how I will continue to manage.”

She also mentioned that her grandson had promised to return with the 60,000 baht ($1,737) they needed to settle overdue payments. Sadly, this promise was never fulfilled.

The Dangers of Social Media Challenges

Kanthee’s death is a tragic reminder of the risks associated with viral challenges and the pressures influencers may face to push boundaries for money and attention. Social media platforms often amplify the appeal of extreme challenges, some of which can have life-threatening consequences. While some challenges are harmless fun, others, like the whisky-drinking contest, can be fatal.

This incident serves as a cautionary tale for both influencers and their followers. It’s important to be mindful of the potential consequences of participating in or promoting extreme challenges that prioritize shock value over safety.

Social Media Reactions and Public Outcry

The public’s response to Thanakarn Kanthee’s death has been one of shock, sympathy, and anger. Many people took to social media to express their sadness and frustration over the loss of a young life. One user on Twitter posted:

“Such a tragic story. Thanakarn’s death could have been avoided. It’s heartbreaking to think that he felt the need to risk his life just to support his family. #RIPBankLeicester #SocialMediaRisks”

Others shared similar sentiments, with one Reddit user commenting, “This is why we need to be more mindful of the challenges we promote online. It’s not just a game when lives are at risk.”

Many influencers and online personalities have also reflected on the dangers of taking part in dangerous challenges for the sake of views and attention. These discussions have sparked broader conversations about the responsibility of influencers to set positive examples for their followers.

Moving Forward: The Need for Change

Thanakarn Kanthee’s tragic death highlights the urgent need for change in the way social media platforms and influencers approach challenges. Content creators must be held accountable for promoting risky behaviors, and platforms need to enforce stronger policies to prevent dangerous trends from gaining traction.

For those who follow influencers and engage in social media challenges, it’s essential to exercise caution and critical thinking. Challenges that glorify harmful behaviors should be questioned, and safety must always come first.

Conclusion: A Family Left in Despair

The loss of Thanakarn Kanthee has left his family, particularly his grandmother, devastated and struggling to cope with the aftermath. The influencer’s tragic death underscores the dangers of social media challenges and the sometimes extreme lengths to which people will go in the pursuit of fame and money.

As the legal process continues, the hope is that this tragedy will serve as a reminder of the importance of safety, responsibility, and the need to prioritize human life over temporary fame.

Our thoughts are with Thanakarn Kanthee’s family and friends during this difficult time. His untimely passing serves as a reminder that, in the pursuit of social media fame, nothing is more important than one’s health and well-being.

Featured Image Credit: Anton Petrus / Getty