Thai Buddhist monk Pongpetch Santijittho puts on a protective suit over his robe as he prepares to cremate the body of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) victim at a temple in Pathumthani Province, near Bangkok, Thailand July 15, 2021. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

By Jiraporn Kuhakan

 

PATHUM THANI, Thailand (Reuters) - Dressed in a saffron robe, Thai monk Pongpetch Santijittho, climbs into a white protective suit and sprays disinfectant on a pair of rubber boots.

 

It is a ritual Pongpetch is going through daily at his temple in Pathum Thani on the outskirts of Bangkok, the epicentre of a wave of coronavirus infections that are killing dozens of people each day.

 

The temple used to hold cremations of about two or three people each month. Now, it is typically four or five each day, as Thailand's longest-running outbreak worsens.

 

"I haven't seen other monks in the temple for a while now because I've been busy cremating and collecting ashes from dusk until dawn," Pongpetch said.

 

The temple's two crematoriums have been increased to three. Pongpetch, 39, performs the funeral rites and has volunteers to help him carry the caskets.

 

The temple offers free cremations to those who died of COVID-19. Thailand reported a record 98 deaths on Thursday, among some 3,032 overall.

 

A woman among those cremated on Thursday had a single loved one attend her funeral. Six other family members were infected with the coronavirus and cried loudly as they watched the cremation live via a smartphone from their home.

 

"I understand that all the relatives who are losing their loved ones are sad because they cannot come to the funeral. I'm sending them support, and will try to do my best here," Pongpetch said.

 

(Writing by Jiraporn Kuhakan and Martin Petty; Editing by Alison Williams)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-07-16

 

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10 minutes ago, webfact said:

The temple used to hold cremations of about two or three people each month. Now, it is typically four or five each day

If Thailand is reporting say 90 dead a day - that's about 2,700 a month. If 1 temple is doing 150 cremations a months now, that accounts for only 18 temples at the same rate. Obviously many temples would be lower, but like India, the real deaths appear to be far higher by the number of cremations being done  - same as what China hid.

 

I also see from the economist that Thailand's deaths are now in for May June

 

May - expected deaths 42,571 - Actual - 45382 +7%

June - expected deaths 39,066 - Actual - 43522 +11%

 

That's an excess of say 7,500 extra deaths in 2 months. Anyone know what they were apart from covid  ? Thailand covid dead I think is missing about 4,000 minimum

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The temple used to hold cremations of about two or three people each month. Now, it is typically four or five each day, as Thailand's longest-running outbreak worsens.

You can't hide the truth from the public.... nuff said.

This Temple provides free cremations , compared to other Temples that charge money .

   This Temple may be busy with cremations because people are using this Temple because its free and they cannot afford to pay at other Temples?

  So, there may not be a huge upsurge in deaths , just a upsurge in people being unable to afford a cremation 

I think perhaps the price is the factor here. 

 

1480 people a day died in May, according to my calculations. Many will be cremated on family land, but many will have no land and be too poor to pay for a temple cremation. Kudos to those who offer free cremations.

10 hours ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

This Temple provides free cremations , compared to other Temples that charge money .

   This Temple may be busy with cremations because people are using this Temple because its free and they cannot afford to pay at other Temples?

  So, there may not be a huge upsurge in deaths , just a upsurge in people being unable to afford a cremation 

Not to mention, how many temples are set up to handle Covid cremations, with proper PPE, and even the willingness.