I thought we'd grow old together, says band leader whose girlfriend died in Thai bar inferno

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: I thought we'd grow old together, says band leader whose girlfriend died in Thai bar inferno Figure caption, Nahathai Satjalert, who sung for Thai indie band Thotsakan, was among four band members killed in the fireByPanisa AemochaBBC ThaiPublished14 minutes agoOne moment, Athipat Wichan was tinkering with song ideas off stage while watching his band perform to a packed crowd at a bar in Bangkok. The next, a ferocious fire had engulfed the stage and cut off power, prompting him to run for his life. "I fumbled around until I found the entrance to the door, but flames shot towards me as soon as I reached it," Athipat told Thai a day after the deadly blaze at Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao, which left 33 people dead and 15 others critically injured.

"I almost didn't make it out in time. "The tragedy hit Athipat's band, Thotsakan, especially hard. Four of its 11 members – female vocalist Nahathai Satjalert, male vocalist Thitiwat Kaewkanha, keyboardist Pruttipong Phutmon and drummer Nathaphat Thammanitha – are among the dead.

The Details

Nahathai was also Athipat's girlfriend. Image source, ThotsakanImage caption, Athipat says he regrets bringing his girlfriend Nahathai (left) into the band"I had imagined us being together until we're old, her scolding me until we're old, but now I can't hear her voice any more. " The 32-year-old band leader spoke to Thai at Nahathai's funeral, with monks chanting in the background.

Many in the funeral hall were beside themselves with grief. Several members of Thotsakan were also present. An emotional Athipat says he regrets bringing his girlfriend into the band.

"I shouldn't have let you be here... "I want to apologise and I want to say that I love her very much and will continue to love her every day. "Athipat, who sustained injuries to his head and arms, is also devastated about his bandmates who lost their lives.

What Experts Say

Nathaphat, the drummer, had only come on board a month ago, while Pruttipong, the keyboardist, was about to leave the band. Vocalist Thitiwat had spoken about celebrating Athipat's birthday on Sunday. "Instead of celebrating my birthday, we ended up arranging a funeral," Athipat says.

Image source, Thai/Wasawat LukharangImage caption, Athipat Wichan (left) spoke to Thai at his girlfriend Nahathai's funeralAthipat founded the band when he was 20. An avid fan of Thai literature, he named it Thotsakan, the primary antagonist in the national epic, Ramakien. After performing for five years with Thotsakan, Athipat took a break and joined another band.

But that only lasted a few months before he decided to revive Thotsakan – the band's "phase two" – with a new slate of musicians. Most of the 11 members who were at Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao when the fire broke out on Monday had come on board during this "phase two". The band had encountered electricity problems before while performing at other venues, but never a fire like this.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.