There was some sad news recently. As no doubt most of our readers will already know, Sqweez Animal guitarist Singha Musigapong passed away from an apparent suicide. Sqweez Animal are a popular and original band that has been featured in the pages of Student Weekly many times.
Singha was very well-liked and highly respected in the Thai music community. On the few occasions that I met him, he always came across as a very friendly and humble guy. And of course he was a great guitarist and musician.
It came as a big shock to many that somebody so young, talented, successful and seemingly with everything to live for would decide to take his own life. Depression is a mysterious and often misunderstood illness, and it can overwhelm those who aren't able to cope with it or who for some reason don't get the help they need in time. Whatever the circumstances behind Singha's feeling that he couldn't carry on, he will be greatly missed by family, friends and music fans throughout the country.
The same weekend that Singha passed away, Wanarat Chaiyapan, the singer of popular indie band Assajan Jakgawan, also died, apparently from blood poisoning. Assajan Jakgawan are renowned in the local underground scene for their groundbreaking music and emotional live performances. So all in all, the first weekend of August was a very sad long weekend for the tightly-knit Bangkok music community and for music fans throughout Thailand.
It's always sad when a young person with so much potential life ahead of them passes away, and when it's somebody from the creative community, many people feel a great sense of loss. I guess these sad occasions should remind us all to truly appreciate the people we love or admire while they're here. Support the work of the local artists and musicians that you like in any way you can. They won't be around forever.
Ben Edwards
Editor
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