Thanakarn Kanthee, known on social media as ‘Bank Leicester,’ was only 21 when he collapsed and died on December 25 in Chanthaburi’s Tha Mai district, Thailand, as reported by the Bangkok Post.
The Bangkok native was reportedly hired to attend a birthday celebration, where he was paid to consume bottles of whiskey for money.
The Nation Thailand revealed Kanthee was compensated 30,000 baht for consuming two 350ml bottles as part of the challenge, equivalent to roughly $875.
Unfortunately, soon after completing the task, he seemed unwell.
After vomiting and losing consciousness, he was transported to Songpeenong Hospital, where he was declared deceased at 3.40am on December 26, just hours after reaching the event.
According to Thai Enquirer on Facebook, Thanakarn’s death has been listed as acute heart failure, though autopsy results have yet to ascertain if alcohol played a role or if there were other underlying health concerns.
Before this unfortunate incident, the influencer was a student at the Ritthiyawannalai School and was involved in selling garlands.
He initially gained fame on Facebook through his rap songs designed to attract buyers.
It is suggested that Thanakarn engaged in similar risky challenges to financially support his family and grandmother, as another video has emerged showing him consuming hand sanitizer.
A post on his Facebook page stated: “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.”
A different Facebook post, made days prior to his death, read: “Nowadays, I don’t care who hates me, who doesn’t like me, I just ignore it and let it go because these days, I only care about the people around me.”
“If they don’t like me, that’s their problem, not my problem. My duty is to earn money and find happiness for myself, that’s enough.”
On Saturday, police officers arrested two other social media influencers, Ekachart “Em” Meephrom from Chanthaburi province and Theerawat Srirot from Pathum, in connection with Thanakarn’s death, as reported by The Independent.
If it is determined that the victim was paid to drink a lethal amount, those responsible could be charged under Section 291 of the Penal Code for causing death through negligence.
Those found guilty of this crime may face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to 20,000 baht ($580), or both.
Since this tragedy, tributes have poured in on his Facebook page, with friends remembering him as a ‘very good person’ who brought ‘smiles to everyone’.