Local florists stand united, contributing flowers to honor school bus fire victims

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A florist from Uthai Thani province recently urged people to donate white flowers for the funerals of the victims of a bus fire, most of them school children.

 

After just three hours, he ended the campaign as he received an overwhelming number of flower donations from across the country, including Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, and Chiang Mai.

 

The florist, Chavalit Waikasikorn, stated that he had received enough flowers to decorate the funerals of the bus fire victims in Pathum Thani province, which happened on Tuesday.

 

He explained that he initiated the call for white flower donations for the funerals, aware that he might not have enough to adorn all the victims' funerals. But he was astounded at how quickly people responded.

 

White flowers were the preferred choice because they represent purity and innocence, which seemed fitting as the majority of the victims were children aged between 9 and 14.

Out of the twenty-three passengers who lost their lives when the coach caught fire on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, twenty were schoolchildren, and three were teachers.

 

Except for one, all victims have been identified. Their bodies were transported back to their home province last night for a funeral at Wat Khao Phraya Sangkharam School in Uthai Thani’s Lan Sak district.

 

Chavalit also mentioned that many individuals volunteered to help with the funeral proceedings. In addition, florists from cities such as Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Chonburi, and Chainat traveled to help with the flower decorations.

 

As the victims' bodies arrived at the school last night, their grieving families, friends, and local officials held a solemn reception.

 

Tonight, a religious ceremony presided over by Privy Councillor president Gen Surayud Chulanont is scheduled. There is also a royally sponsored funeral planned for next Tuesday.

 

Photo: Thai PBS World

 

-- 2024-10-03