CHIANG MAI– Musicians from Chiang Mai’s “Lai Thai Indy” circle have joined together to organize the funeral for “ Rotbus The Voice Season 6 ”, who passed away in a tragic accident involving a water delivery pickup truck.
The vehicle lost control and crashed into a row of electricity poles in central Chiang Mai, toppling 52 poles in total. The accident caused widespread damage to roadside buildings, shops, and cars. Before the crash, those close to him noted changes in his mood and dreams about the incident.
The collision happened outside the Him Kong shop on Nong Ho Road in Chang Phueak district at about 3:10 pm on 9 September 2025. The crash brought down 52 electric poles, including 24 high-voltage 115kV poles, 23 high-voltage 22kV poles, and five 9-metre low-voltage poles.
Seven transformers and 34 electric meters were affected. More than 10 buildings and at least 20 parked cars were damaged, and a restaurant nearby caught fire. Losses are estimated at no less than 10 million baht.
Two people were seriously injured. The driver, Mr. Songchai, 25, remains in critical condition. Mr. Boonrit Charoenwong, known as Rotbus, who reached the Battle Round in The Voice Season 6 (Team Singto Namchok), was in the passenger seat and died shortly after the accident.
Ms. Netnapa Malasri (Um Dundara) spoke at the Hanicha Boo shop in Hang Dong. She shared that she and Rotbus had worked together as singers for over 10 years. They had become like family, sharing meals and working at Lai Thai Indy, managed by Hia Chang, whom Rotbus saw as a father figure.
She recalled that just before the pickup truck accident, Rotbus’s partner called to share the news. The mood was sombre. Usually playful, Rotbus had recently seemed downcast. She said only a day before, she remarked to her own partner that Rotbus did not look well and seemed troubled.
His partner had even mentioned that Rotbus dreamed about the very pickup truckfrom the accident chasing him for two nights in a rowand joked about using the number in the lottery.
Rotbus was a hard worker who never turned down a job. He helped anywhere he could, treating his workplace as if it were his own. When the bar lost business due to COVID-19, he didn’t hesitate to grill meat outside, assist with construction for relatives, or even drive delivery trucks.
Friends enjoyed his friendly, playful attitude. At one point, they toured the northeast and central regions together for concerts, and Rotbus starred as the son in a music video for “Mother’s Lullaby”. Sometimes, he would improvise lyrics to make everyone laugh, even causing others to forget their parts.
Songkran Kamsaeng (P’Bird), a producer at Lai Thai Indy, revealed he was Rotbus’s producer during The Voice. Their collaboration on a cover of “Dae Khon Wang Dee” reached a million views, the first for the label. They tried many musical styles, but production slowed during the pandemic.
He shared that the day before the accident at about 2:20 pm, Rotbus messaged asking, “Do you remember me?” Knowing the reference to a song the pair had worked on, Songkran responded with a joke. Rotbus said he wished he could sing the song again, feeling he hadn’t sung it well before.
Later, Songkran sent him the backing track, but Rotbus didn’t reply. By 5 pm, news reached him that Rotbus had passed. Songkran admitted he is still in shock. When customers requested “Butterfly Caterpillar” (the song Rotbus performed in The Voice’s second round), he found himself unable to sing and had to step aside as emotions took over.
With Rotbus’s father having passed away when he was young, and his sister carrying family responsibilities, there are limited funds for the funeral. The Lai Thai Indy group pledged to arrange the ceremony and ensure Rotbus receives a proper farewell, with Chiang Mai artists contributing to the costs.
This covers the mortuary, cremation, prayer ceremonies, and meals for guests across four days and three nights. The first prayer night will be held on 11 September 2025 at Wat Sri Suphan in Hang Dong. On Saturday, 13 September, musicians and singers from around Chiang Mai and beyond will gather for a final tribute, before the cremation service in the afternoon.
