Families collect bodies after Nonthaburi school shooting
Families of those killed in the Nonthaburi school shooting collected their relatives’ bodies as officials arranged compensation and other assistance
- Families of victims, including a school deputy director and a teacher, gathered at the Institute of Forensic Medicine to collect the bodies for religious rites.
- Government officials were on-site to assist families with procedures and to process financial compensation, offering 300,000 baht for each death.
- The family of the attacker was also present to retrieve the bodies of his grandparents, who were also killed in the incident.
- One victim's father emotionally rejected the financial compensation, telling officials that the money could not replace his daughter.
Families of those killed in the Nonthaburi school shooting arrived at the Institute of Forensic Medicine at Police General Hospital on Saturday (August 8) to collect their relatives’ bodies and take them home for religious ceremonies.
Officials from the Department of Rights and Liberties Protection and the Nonthaburi Provincial Justice Office were stationed at the institute to assist families with procedures for receiving the bodies, legal entitlements and compensation.
Among the first families to arrive was that of Kittipong Somrat, deputy director of Debsirin Nonthaburi School. His relatives completed the required procedures before preparing to take his body to Si Sa Ket for religious rites.
The family of Tiwaporn “Kru Muay” Wanich, a guidance teacher from Nakhon Luang district in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, also came to receive her body.
Family prepares to take teacher home to Ayutthaya
While relatives completed documentation, Tiwaporn’s mother waited nearby and told reporters that she had been unable to eat and had not slept the previous night.
The family plans to hold religious rites at Wat Tanot in Nakhon Luang district, although the duration of the ceremonies had not yet been decided. Her mother said Tiwaporn had graduated as a teacher from Prince of Songkla University and had worked in education for 19 years.
When officials explained the compensation available to the family, including 300,000 baht in the event of a death, Tiwaporn’s father responded emotionally.
“Take the 300,000 baht back. Give me my daughter back,” he told officials, according to the report.
Officials told the family that they understood financial support could not compensate for the loss but was intended to prevent families from carrying additional expenses. They expected the compensation process to take about one week.
Attacker’s relatives also collect family members
A son of Somchit Yimrueang and Porntip Yimrueang, the deceased grandparents of the attacker, also arrived to collect their bodies. As their son, he is also an uncle of the attacker.
After completing compensation paperwork and waiting to confirm receipt of the bodies, he told reporters that he was not ready to speak. He also said he was unaware of a purported conversation between the attacker and his mother that had circulated on social media and was described in the report as a fake chat.
Compensation also covers injuries and mental health care
Justice Ministry officials said compensation for injured people would be considered according to their actual medical expenses and the extent of their injuries.
For a minor injury that heals within seven days, compensation is 10,000 baht, while medical treatment expenses are reimbursed according to actual costs supported by receipts.
The assistance also covers psychological effects arising from the incident. Those seeking compensation for mental-health treatment must receive treatment and obtain medical certification confirming that their condition resulted from the incident before they can claim compensation and related medical expenses.
