On September 2, 2025, the Thai rock band Cocktail stunned fans and the music industry alike with an emotional announcement: their official farewell concert. According to MGR Online, the beloved group, known for their powerful ballads and energetic performances, revealed the news during the Thairath Money Campus Tour 2025, held at the Mahitaladhibesra Building of Chulalongkorn University. For many, this moment marks both a celebration and the closing of a remarkable 12-year chapter in the country's music scene.
The announcement, published simultaneously by several news outlets, was met with a mix of nostalgia and gratitude. The band expressed heartfelt thanks to their fans, emphasizing that this farewell concert would be a significant event—a chance to honor the journey they’ve shared with their audience. As reported by Thairath, the concert is expected to draw between 2,000 and 2,700 attendees, with ticket prices ranging from 2,500 to 40,000 baht, depending on seating and privileges. This range, while steep for some, reflects the magnitude of the event and the deep connection between the band and their supporters.
But the story behind Cocktail’s farewell is more than just a musical send-off. It’s also a testament to the band’s philosophy on life, money, and resilience—values that have shaped their journey and, arguably, set them apart in a notoriously unpredictable industry. At the heart of this philosophy is Ohm Cocktail, or Pantapol Prasarnrajkit, the band’s charismatic frontman and a respected music executive. During the Money Campus Tour, Ohm shared candid insights into his personal and financial journey, offering lessons that resonate far beyond the stage.
“Money can’t buy everything, but everything requires money,” Ohm told the audience, as quoted by Thairath. This simple yet profound idea has guided him since his teenage years. Despite coming from a family with a strong track record in both education and professional achievement, Ohm felt pressure to forge his own path. The turning point, he recounted, came during his second year at university—a period marked by academic struggles and the looming threat of being forced to drop out. The thought of wasting his parents’ hard-earned money on tuition and living expenses filled him with guilt and a sense of responsibility. It was then that he resolved to become financially independent, regardless of family wealth or inheritance.
Ohm’s early work experiences were humble. He worked as a teaching assistant for a year, earning a monthly salary of 12,550 baht. There were times, he recalled, when his bank account held just 50 baht—too little to withdraw from an ATM. This, he joked, was probably his first real savings. Later, as a fledgling musician, he earned about 2,500 to 2,700 baht per gig. Even after signing with a music label and becoming a professional singer, the money was hardly glamorous. The band’s fee of 40,000 baht per show had to be split among four members and cover all expenses, leaving Ohm with just over 2,000 baht per performance. To make ends meet, he took on up to 10 gigs a month, aiming for a monthly income of at least 20,000 baht. These experiences, he explained, taught him the importance of securing a stable income before thinking about savings, investments, or risk management.
Cocktail’s approach to financial risk is as disciplined as their music. Ohm revealed that the band established a central fund—a sort of communal safety net—by setting aside 20% of all their earnings. “It’s like having a fifth member in the band,” he explained. This fund, agreed upon by all members, was designed to provide long-term benefits and financial security, especially given the volatile nature of the music business. The wisdom of this strategy became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when live performances ground to a halt for nearly two years. The fund allowed the band to continue paying their team and maintain a basic income for members, cushioning the blow of lost gigs and uncertainty.
So, how much is in the band’s fund today? Ohm shared that the amount is sufficient to support Cocktail’s members for another 12 to 15 years, or until they reach the ages of 52 to 55, even if they never perform again. “This proves the power of planning and prudence,” he noted. The fund continues to generate income, ensuring that the band’s legacy endures beyond their final curtain call.
For Ohm, the lessons learned from a life in music and finance are clear. He urges everyone to “spend money with joy,” without being haunted by fears of future hardship. The key, he insists, is self-awareness: knowing exactly how much money you want to spend, and setting income goals that match those needs. Most importantly, he cautions against the trap of comparing oneself to others—a habit that can obscure true desires and undermine genuine happiness. “I want everyone to know how much they want to spend and understand themselves well enough to know how to earn it,” Ohm said. “Stop comparing yourself to others, and look at your own real needs. Don’t let others’ standards become your own. That way, you’ll find real happiness in spending money.”
The band’s farewell concert is more than just a goodbye; it’s a celebration of a journey defined by creativity, resilience, and thoughtful planning. For fans, the event is a rare chance to see Cocktail perform together one last time, reliving memories and singing along to songs that have become part of Thailand’s cultural fabric. For the band, it’s a moment to reflect on the hard-won lessons of their career—and to share those lessons with a new generation.
As the music industry continues to evolve, Cocktail’s story serves as a reminder that success isn’t just about fame or fortune. It’s about building something sustainable, supporting those around you, and knowing when to take a bow. Their farewell concert, set against the backdrop of a changing world, is a fitting tribute to a band that has always played by its own rules.
For those lucky enough to secure tickets, the farewell promises to be unforgettable. And for everyone else, the legacy of Cocktail—on stage and off—will endure long after the final note fades.
