Yala: Victims of the crane collapse are being gradually sent to their hometowns; the atmosphere is somber. The bodies of victims of the crane collapse that crushed a train in Sikhiu are being gradually sent to their hometowns. The atmosphere is somber.
According to Thai News Agency, in Yala province, last night at 11:00 PM, the body of Mr. Suhaimin Yeng, 31, the last victim of the construction crane collapse that crushed a train in Sikhiu district, Nakhon Ratchasima province on January 14th, arrived at the central mosque in Yala province for religious ceremonies. His parents, relatives, and local residents received the body with deep sorrow before it was moved to the Nibong Baru cemetery in Sateng Nok subdistrict at 11:50 PM for burial. He was buried near the grave of his older brother, Mr. Akman Yeng, who also died in the same incident and whose body arrived earlier yesterday.
Of those who died in this incident in the southern border provinces, there were a total of 5 fatalities: 3 in Yala province and 2 in Pattani province.
The niece, tearfully, expressed her feelings, saying that although she is still struggling to cope with the sudden loss, she feels relieved that the bodies of her two siblings could be brought back to their hometown for the funeral rites as planned. Despite the difficulties of coordinating across regions from the Northeast to the South due to the distance, she received full assistance from many organizations, especially the Office of the Chulalongkorn Royal Chaplain. She has also received some compensation, but the amount cannot compare to the lives lost.
Meanwhile, in the northeastern region, bodies of deceased individuals have also been returned to their hometowns. In Udon Thani, one of the deceased was Ms. Premprapaporn Srisutham, 46. Around 9 PM last night, a rescue vehicle brought her body to the funeral hall at the village temple. Family, relatives, and neighbors were there to receive the body, overcome with grief. Ms. Premprapaporn's mother, Mrs. Phon, was overcome with grief and had to be comforted by relatives. Today, monks will be invited to chant prayers and perform the burial ceremony. Later this evening, monks will be invited back to the family's home for another round of prayers. Furthermore, the family will hold continuous merit-making ceremonies for the deceased for three days to ensure her soul rests in peace, in accordance with religious beliefs.
Nun Bang-orn, the aunt of the deceased, explained that the family intends to keep the body for about 2-3 years, or until they are ready, according to traditional beliefs. They believe that the spirit may not have departed yet, and rushing the cremation might disturb it. Keeping the body for now allows the spirit to rest and is in line with religious customs.
The deceased was a person who loved his mother very much. Every year during the New Year and Songkran festivals, he would buy a ticket to visit his mother. Even though his stay was short, he was happy to be close to her.
In Sisaket province, two families have lost loved ones: the family of Mrs. Lamyong Kanya, who lost her daughter, Ms. Surattiyakorn Kanya, or "Kai," 35, and her Korean son-in-law, Mr. Kim Yong-ho, 37, who had just registered their marriage at the Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on January 13th before tragically passing away.
While relatives prepared the refrigerated coffin, Mrs. Lamyong lay listlessly in front of it, grieving and missing her daughter. At 10:25 PM last night, rescue workers brought the bodies of the couple back to the woman's hometown. The cremation ceremony will be held on January 21st at Wat Pa Nong Phai, Wang Hin Subdistrict, Sisaket Province.