Funeral held for student killed in Sa Kaeo bus crash

A heartbreaking accident involving a drug-intoxicated driver resulted in the funeral of a 15 year old student, Nong Tuta, and severe injuries to several others. The incident, which occurred on May 23, saw a pickup truck carrying 30,000 methamphetamine tablets crash into a school bus on Route 3259 in Sa Kaeo Province, killing two students and injuring 19.

Yesterday at 2pm, the funeral for Nong took place at Wat Pai Prawan in the Thung Maha Charoen area of Wang Nam Yen District. The teenager was a Mathayom 4 (Grade 10) student at Wang Phrai Wittayakhom School. The ceremony was marked by profound sorrow, with over 500 attendees, including Trinuch Thienthong, Member of Parliament for Sakaeo’s 2nd District, presiding over the event. District Chief Kitcha Saowaros, residents, and classmates gathered for a final farewell.

Nong’s homeroom teacher, Sudarat Onjai, delivered an emotional eulogy, recounting the young student’s life and impact. Friends joined in singing a song as a tribute, adding to the solemnity of the occasion.

The mother of Nong, tearfully expressed her grief, calling for accountability and support from relevant authorities. She voiced her concern about the lack of registration and expired insurance of the school bus, which had lapsed by ten days. She urged the provincial governor to address these issues, highlighting the difficulty of seeking justice as an ordinary citizen.

“We have lost our child, and while various agencies have provided assistance, we need to know where to direct our grievances so that our child did not die in vain.”

Wang Phrai Witthayakhom School’s principal, Wanna Phithaksongkhram, provided an update on the injured students. Five students remain hospitalised, with four at Somdej Phra Yupparaj Sa Kaeo Hospital and one at Khlong Hat Hospital.

Two of these students have undergone surgery, with one requiring an ankle amputation and the other being treated for Covid-19 in a sterile room, awaiting further surgery when their condition stabilises. Another student has nerve compression in the neck and back, necessitating transfer to a specialized neurological hospital.

The student at Khlong Hat Hospital is reportedly improving and is expected to recover within two or three days.

The family of the other, 13 year old deceased student, Nong Aomsin, a Mathayom 1 (Grade 7) student at the same school, is holding funeral rites at their home in Ban Nong Ruea, Thung Maha Charoen. The cremation ceremony is scheduled for today at Wat Nong Ruea, reported Khaosod.

By Nattapong Westwood

Picture courtesy of Artyom Kulakov from pexels.com