Bangkok: Relatives of victims from the "Na Lat Phrao Brewery" fire are gradually arriving to collect the bodies amidst grief. Meanwhile, officials are expediting the identification of the deceased, but some bodies have been severely damaged by the flames and smoke.
According to Thai News Agency, a somber atmosphere has prevailed at the Forensic Medicine Institute of the Police Hospital since this morning, as families and relatives of those who died in the brewery fire at Lat Phrao have been arriving to contact officials and collect the bodies for religious ceremonies. The first body released was that of Mr. Chidchanok Chuanram, 24 years old, whose father and aunt came to claim it. As soon as the coffin was brought out, the father and aunt could not hold back their tears, weeping with grief and calling out his name, urging him to return to the temple with them. The religious ceremony will be held at Wat Saphan Sung in Bang Sue District.
Police Major General Wirun Suphasinghsiripreecha, Commander of the Forensic Science Institute, Police Hospital, revealed the progress of the autopsy, stating that the forensic medical team has expedited the examination of the deceased's body from the scene. However, some parts of the body were heavily damaged by fire and smoke, emphasizing the importance of accuracy in the DNA testing process. Officials have collected DNA samples from the family to compare and confirm the identity of the deceased.
Meanwhile, the Poh Teck Tung Foundation has provided facilitating staff, including May Athicha Theskham, a presenter from the evening news program on Channel 9 MCOT HD, who volunteered to do makeup for the deceased. In addition, they have set up service points to provide funeral assistance to the relatives of the deceased (20,000 baht per person), those injured (5,000 baht), and offer free transportation of bodies to their hometowns in all cases. Relatives have been continuously contacting them requesting body transportation services, both in Bangkok and other provinces.
Meanwhile, Ms. Krongkaew, 48, a relative of Mr. Sithiphong Chaiyo from Nam Yuen District, Ubon Ratchathani Province, after a DNA test confirmed his identity, revealed that her son was working in the kitchen of a restaurant in Bangkok. She was very shocked and never thought he would pass away so soon.