Fourth Thai body found at crash site

The fourth of five Thai passengers killed in a plane crash in Laos last Wednesday was discovered yesterday morning. Laos authorities named him as Yanyong Apaanan, 29, a PTT engineer. The news came as search crews yesterday dragged the wreckage of the plane’s fuselage out of the Mekong River. 

The bodies of three Thais killed when the Lao Airlines ATR-72 plunged into the Mekong on its approach to Pakse Airport in the southern province of Champasak were flown to Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport yesterday afternoon by a Royal Thai Air Force C-130 transport plane.

Air Force spokesman AM Monthon Satchukorn said the C-130 had flown back the bodies of three Thais – Pakawat Athirattanachai, Kaneung Chadkasemchai and Veekij Budsarawuthanusorn – as well as 33 Thai officials and scuba divers who aided search efforts. The aircraft left Bangkok at about noon for Pakse, where it picked up the victims’ bodies and officials before heading back. The officials were dropped off at Rayong’s U-Tapao Airport before the aircraft flew to Don Mueang Airport to deliver the bodies at around 4pm. 

The Vientiane Times is reporting that Lao Airlines and its insurance company are paying compensation worth US$7,500 (Bt233,475) to the family of each victim.

An initial payment of $2,500 is intended to cover funeral expenses, while the remaining $5,000 will be paid at some point in the future, according to director general of Lao Airlines’ Planning and Cooperation Department Sitthideth Duangsitthi.

The families of three Thai victims are reportedly seeking Bt15 million for each loss. 

Lao Airlines Vice president Somsamay Visounnalath said insurance cover for such accidents was valued at more than $100 million, but could not provide more specific information.

Lao Airlines is covered by London-based insurance company Willis, which Somsamay said meant the airline had international-standard insurance. “The insurance covers the crew, passengers and the plane,” he said.

Somsamay said insurance payouts for victims’ families would be in line with international standards. He said four representatives from the insurance company – two from London and two from Singapore – had arrived in Laos last Thursday to assess the situation.

The 44 passengers on board the crashed plane comprised 16 Lao nationals, seven French, six Australians, five Thais, three South Koreans and three Vietnamese, as well as an American, a Chinese national, a Malaysian and one person from Taiwan. Four of the crew were Laotian while the pilot hailed from Cambodia.

As of 5pm yesterday, 43 bodies had been recovered and 17 identified, according to officials at the site.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has instructed immigration officials and Lao embassies and consulates around the world to waive entry visa fees for families coming to Laos to bring home victims’ remains.