LAN SAK, Thailand. A heart-wrenching cremation ceremony took place in the small town of Lan Sak, central Thailand, on Tuesday, as mourners gathered to bid farewell to 23 young students and teachers who lost their lives in a devastating school bus fire. The tragedy occurred on October 1 during a school field trip, leaving the entire nation in shock and mourning.
The ceremony, held near a local temple, saw the construction of several cremation furnaces adorned with flowers, honoring the victims who attended the school located within the temple compound. Monks led prayers while family members and friends wept for their loved ones.
The bus, carrying 6 teachers and 39 elementary and junior high school students, caught fire on a highway in Pathum Thani, a northern suburb of Bangkok. The fire spread rapidly, allowing only 22 people to escape. After forensic experts in Bangkok completed the identification of the charred bodies, the remains of the victims were returned to their hometown for funeral rites that began last week.
The incident has ignited national outrage over lax safety standards and prompted swift legal action. The bus driver was arrested for reckless driving, while the bus’s registered owner was charged with negligence leading to death. Transport officials came under scrutiny after it was revealed that the bus, more than 50 years old, had passed an inspection just four months before the fire. Investigators later found that the bus was equipped with 11 natural gas canisters, despite only being permitted to have six.
Authorities believe a gas tube from one of the canisters came loose, causing a leak ignited by sparks. The bus had been modified to run on compressed natural gas (CNG), a common practice for commercial vehicles aiming to reduce costs. In response to the accident, officials ordered the inspection of over 13,000 CNG-powered buses within 60 days, and the Ministry of Education temporarily suspended all school study trips.
The cremation in Uthai Thani province was sponsored by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who sent General Surayud Chulanont, the head of his Privy Council and a former prime minister, to represent him.
This tragedy has left a profound impact on Thailand, raising concerns about safety regulations and the conditions of vehicles used for transporting children on school trips. The community, still grappling with the loss, prays for justice and changes that will prevent future accidents of this kind.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
