BANGKOK, 19 November 2014 -Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-ocha has offered his condolences to the families of the nine soldiers killed in the recent helicopter crash in Phayao on the evening of November 17.
He has also ordered the Army Chief to provide full military assistance to the deceased. The premier said that although the helicopter was old, it had been properly maintained. The Army has more than 40 helicopters of this type in its service.
Deputy Army spokeswoman Colonel Sirichan Ngathong revealed that the Army Chief has ordered that the families of the crash victims be well taken care of. The nine officers will be posthumously promoted up to 9 ranks and will be entitled to receive a retirement fund 7 levels higher than their current ranks.
Meanwhile, the Army Chief General Udomdej Sitabutr, yesterday presided over the royal bathing rite for the deceased at Wat Khuha-sawan in Phitsanulok province. A nightly requiem will be held at the monastery until November 24th and a royally-sponsored cremation ceremony is scheduled for November 25th.
