Thai Influencer Dies After Chugging Two Bottles Of Whiskey In Rs 75,000 Challenge

Last Updated:December 30, 2024, 19:30 IST

Social media influencer Thanakarn Kanthee, 27, was hired to drink whiskey at a party, with 10,000 baht (Rs 25,000) for each bottle. After guzzling two bottles, he collapsed and later died.

Thai influencer Thanakarn Kanthee collapsed after drinking two bottles of whiskey in 20 minutes as part of a bet. (Photo: X)

In a tragic incident, a young Thai social media influencer with intellectual disabilities died after guzzling two bottles of whiskey within 10-20 minutes as part of a 30,000 baht (Rs 75,000) challenge.

Thanakarn Kanthee, 27, also known as “Bank Leicester", was pronounced dead at a hospital on Thursday after a party, where he was challenged to drink a 350 ml bottle of whiskey with a cash offer of 10,000 baht (Rs 25,000) per bottle.

According to a report by The Bangkok Post, Kanthee regularly took on such paid challenges in exchange for money to support his impoverished family. A garland seller who found fame online for performing improvised rap songs, Kanthee has been seen drinking hand sanitiser in one of his videos, which also involved him being beaten.

A video showed Kanthee being challenged to drink whiskey at a birthday party in Tha Mai district of Chanthaburi on December 25. Kanthee, who was already drunk, accepted the challenge and chugged two bottles of whiskey in 10-20 minutes.

However, the influencer soon collapsed and reportedly vomited before he was taken to hospital, where he allegedly died due to alcohol poisoning. His death sparked public outcry, with many condemning such dangerous challenges.

One Arrested For ‘Recklessness’

Police on Saturday arrested one person who allegedly hired Kanthee for the drinking challenge at his house that caused the latter’s death. Officers from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) and local police in Chanthaburi raided the house of Ekkachart Meephrom, also known as “Em Ekkachart".

Cops seized a pistol, bank passbooks, mobile phones and SIM cards for examination to gain information on the accused’s links to a gambling website. Officers also informed him about an arrest warrant on the charge of recklessness for causing Kanthee’s death.

Police later said that Ekkachart, 32, confessed to the offence and was soon taken into custody. A court denied him bail and noted the seriousness of his “reckless behaviour", which carries a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine of up to 20,000 baht.

Public Outrage Over Kanthee’s Death

The death of Kanthee, who was raised in a Bangkok slum by his grandmother after his parents separated when he was just two months old, sparked public sympathy online and outrage over such dangerous drinking challenges. Social media users also slammed partygoers for their visible lack of sympathy for the victim.

Many netizens condemned the challenge as “rubbish content" and called on people to stop posting such content. Some sadly recalled one of Kanthee’s posts saying, “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."

Meanwhile, activist Guntouch Pongpaiboonwet offered to advocate for Thanakarn’s family if they want to hold someone responsible for his death. “People were quick to make content and have fun with it, but when it came to taking responsibility, not a single soul dared step up," he said.

Bangkok, Thailand

News world Thai Influencer Dies After Chugging Two Bottles Of Whiskey In Rs 75,000 Challenge