UTHAI THANI, Thailand – A sea of mourners gathered at the school to bid farewell to the 23 students and teachers tragically lost in the school bus fire, as a royally-sponsored cremation is held Tuesday afternoon (Oct 8).
The ceremony was held at Wat Khao Phraya Sangkharam School in Lan Sak district, Uthai Thani province, to honor the 23 students and teachers who perished in a tragic school bus fire during a field trip on Oct 1.
The morning ceremony, presided over by Pol. Gen. Permpoon Chidchob, Minister of Education, featured Buddhist rites and prayers. Family and friends of the victims gathered at the school’s multipurpose building to pay their respects.
Prominent figures, including Sabida Thaiseth, Deputy Minister of Interior, and Chada Thaiseth, a local MP, attended the ceremony. Former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin also arrived to join the mourners.
The royally-sponsored cremation ceremony began at 12.30 p.m., with Gen. Surayud Chulanont, President of the Privy Council, presiding.
The turnout for the ceremony was overwhelming. All 5,000 seats inside the tents, prepared for the royal cremation, were quickly occupied. Thousands more stood outside. The nine crematoriums are ready, with seven designated for the ceremony and two as spares to handle the 23 bodies.
The ceremony is anticipated to conclude at 8 pm. The ashes will be returned to the families for their own religious observances. (TNA)
