Youth Influencer Dies After Drinking Challenge to Support Family
PUBLISHED: 26 Dec 2024 at 14:11
A young Thai influencer has tragically died following a drinking challenge where he was paid 30,000 baht to consume a 350ml bottle of whisky.
Thanakarn Kanthee, known as “Bank Leicester,” was declared dead at a hospital shortly after the event took place on Thursday.
Bank Leicester, a garland seller who creatively entertained customers with improvised rap music, frequently took on challenges for monetary rewards, sharing his exploits online.
Video footage capturing him drinking from a whisky bottle at a party has circulated widely, highlighting the alarming trend of drinking challenges among young influencers.
After completing the challenge, Thanakarn reportedly experienced severe illness and was taken to the hospital, where he later died.
Social media reactions following his death have been mixed, with many condemning the push for harmful content while others expressed concern for his grandmother, who had raised him after his parents separated.
A poignant post from Thanakarn reflected his struggles: “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 social media activist has offered to support Thanakarn’s family in seeking accountability for his death, encouraging them to take action against those who encouraged the deadly challenges.
This tragic incident highlights the urgent need for discussions around the safety and ethics of content creation in the realm of social media.
