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Thousands Unite To Bid Farewell to Victims of School Bus Inferno

Families and friends of the 20 students and three teachers who perished in last week’s tragic bus fire gathered at their school on Tuesday to say their goodbyes during a royally sponsored cremation ceremony.

On behalf of His Majesty the King, Privy Councillor Gen Surayud Chulanont officiated at the ceremony, which took place on the sports field of Wat Khao Phraya Sangkharam School in the Lan Sak district of Uthai Thani.

Among the thousands of mourners were parents, relatives, and friends, including some who had traveled from different provinces.

Local media reported that notable figures in attendance included former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Uthai Thani MP Chada Thaiset.

Provincial authorities had arranged seating for 6,000 people, all of which were occupied.

The school’s Facebook page was overwhelmed with farewell messages for the deceased and wishes for their peaceful ascension to heaven.

Seven temporary crematoriums were set up on the field, with two additional units on standby. Each cremation lasted approximately 40 minutes, as the ceremony continued into the afternoon.

During the somber ceremony, police disclosed initial findings on Tuesday regarding the cause of the devastating fire.

Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiewphan, head of the Office of Police Forensic Science, stated that the preliminary investigation identified a gas leak at the front of the bus, although the cause of the leak and the source of the ignition were still under investigation.

Earlier, transport officials had disclosed that the bus, originally diesel-powered, had been illegally converted to use natural gas, with unauthorized extra gas tanks installed.

The deceased were part of a school excursion to Ayutthaya and Bangkok, traveling in the second bus of a three-vehicle convoy from Chinnaboot Tour in Sing Buri.

The bus, carrying 39 students and six teachers, caught fire and was quickly engulfed in flames as it passed through the Rangsit area of Lam Luk Ka district in Pathum Thani on October 1.

Driver Samarn Chanphut, 48, reported that a blown-out front left tire led to the wheel catching fire, subsequently causing him to lose control and crash into a median barrier.

After fleeing the scene on October 1, Mr. Samarn later surrendered to police and now faces several serious charges, including recklessness causing death, while the bus owner has not yet been charged.

The field trip was aborted, and the students and teachers in the other two buses returned to their school the following day, last Wednesday.

The school stated on its Facebook account, “The students are returning on two buses. They reached In Buri [a district in Sing Buri] and will arrive at the school around 10 PM.”

A woman named Koi Nangmarnraituamae responded, saying, “For the families whose children are not returning, their hearts are irrevocably broken.”