Category: Asia, News

Thailand Bus Fire Tragedy: Emotional Farewell to Victims at Funeral

Mourning the Victims of the Thailand Bus Fire

Weeping relatives and friends gathered to mourn the tragic loss of 20 children and three teachers who perished in a horrific bus fire in Thailand. The emotional funeral took place on Thursday at Wat Khao Phraya Sangkharam School in Lan Sak, a small town in central Thailand.

Emotional Farewell at the Funeral

White and gold coffins lined the hall, with relatives placing food, clothes, and toys on some of them as a tribute to their loved ones. A representative of the Thai royal family performed a Buddhist funeral rite by pouring water on the coffins, symbolizing purification, and placed wreaths in their honor.

Investigation into the Tragic Fire

The cause of the fire, which broke out during a school field trip, remains under investigation. The bus driver, who turned himself in, has been charged with reckless driving resulting in deaths and injuries. Nineteen children and three teachers survived the incident, with 16 currently receiving treatment for their injuries. The ages of the children on board remain unclear, as the school caters to students aged 3 to 15.

Community Gathers to Mourn

The mass funeral saw hundreds of attendees, including several cabinet ministers. Among them was Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob, who provided financial assistance to the victims’ families. The minister also mentioned that authorities had carried out merit-making ceremonies to honor those who lost their lives and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.

A Town in Mourning

Residents and monks from Lan Sak stayed up on Wednesday night to receive the victims’ bodies from a Bangkok mortuary. A funeral procession was held on Thursday, with families clutching framed photographs of their loved ones in an emotional tribute.

Buddhist Prayers and Royal Cremation Ceremony

Buddhist prayers for the victims will continue for the next four days, followed by a royal cremation ceremony next week, ordered by Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn. Across Thailand, teachers and students mourned by laying white flowers in their schools to remember those who lost their lives in what is believed to be the country’s deadliest traffic accident in a decade.

Possible Cause of the Bus Fire

The bus driver informed investigators that the vehicle lost balance and scraped against a concrete barrier, which might have sparked the blaze. The bus was powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) and was carrying 11 gas canisters, though it was only permitted to carry six. The company that owned the bus claimed it had met safety standards. Following the accident, the Thai government ordered an inspection of all passenger buses equipped with CNG.

Calls for Justice and Safety

Tael Narach, the grandmother of a six-year-old victim, expressed her grief and desire for justice. She described fainting when she received the devastating news. “I want justice and support for my grandchild,” said Tael, aged 69.