Watchiranon Thongthep, Laura Bigger and Frances Mao
BBC News
Duangphan Patphochanan walks aimlessly outside the Child Development Center, Na Klang District, Nong Bua Lamphu Province. In his hand a plastic bag full of toys.
A 64-year-old grandmother waits to see her grandson’s face. to bring a favorite toy including his grandson’s dinosaur puppet put in the coffin
Grandma’s granddaughter, “Captain”, was a 3-year-old boy who was one of the 23 children who died. from a knife and gun attack at a child development center in the northeastern province on Oct. 6
A retired ex-cop raided the center. They then used guns and knives to kill dozens of young children, the youngest of whom were 3 years old, who were sleeping during the day. The period before and following the incident in the center He also shot and killed the people he saw. A total of 36 people died at his hands before taking their own lives.
Usually, this child development center There were more than 90 children a day, but with heavy rain that day. travel is inconvenient There were only 24 children inside the facility, and of the 24, only one survived.
Police Lieutenant General Damrongsak Kittipraphat National Police Commissioner gave an interview to the media on October 7 regarding the results of the autopsy of the perpetrator Drugs were not found in the body. that means The perpetrators had not used drugs in the past 72 hours.
“The murder case remains the same. The autopsy rhetoric remains the same. But let’s look at it as a lesson in the next time what causes it.”
The police chief also revealed the results of the preliminary investigation found that early morning on the day of the incident The perpetrator quarreled with his wife. The wife then asked her mother to come pick him up. Therefore, it is assumed that The perpetrators may have thought that his wife would no longer be with him. therefore resulting in accumulated stress coupled with a lack of income from unemployment But there was no evidence of psychotic symptoms. Because when I go to court, nothing is wrong.
The firearm used in the crime The perpetrator bought it right. It is expected that through the police welfare program. which despite being fired from government But it is considered a license for personal use. Now the body of the perpetrator is in the process of holding the body in a forensic work group for examination. therefore unable to perform the ceremony And the temples in all 3 temples do not want to accept it, so the mother may accept the ceremony at other temples.
the voice of the lost
“When I heard the news of the shooting I almost fainted,” Duangphan told the BBC on her cell phone. This is a picture of a 3-year-old grandson in a school uniform. taken just hours before the incident
Like other child care centers, child development centers Uthai Sawan Take and post pictures of children for parents to see on social networks. It’s a picture of a happy child. smiling face writing a book or drawing near completion
Duangphan was one of the tragic relatives of the deceased. gathered in front of the center On the morning of Friday 7 Oct.
Another grandmother, 46, told the BBC: She lost both sons and nieces.
“I was heartbroken… (and) angry that I mightn’t do anything,” she said. But there’s a lot more to ask for answers.
“Why did you come down to the children and why kill them when the children didn’t do anything for them,” said a relative of the deceased captain, and soon the captain was already celebrating his third birthday.
Mrs. Thongjai Duangkhamjan, a grandmother who takes care of Dr. Kritsanapong, 4, who died in this accident. Said in a trembling voice that yesterday morning, I just sent my grandchildren to school. The grandson had only attended school for two days.
Grandma at the age of 48, earns her living by farming according to the villagers’ way of life in Na Klang District. She is happy as she is. raised a nephew that his parents had left him to raise because they have to make a living in Bangkok who have returned to their homeland But he did not come to pick up his child’s body because he still mightn’t make up his mind.
“Many men are lovely, well-spoken children who wake up early and ask for grandfather. But I don’t think that what happened is true, even though my nephew has only been to school for two days,” said Mrs. Tongjai as she scrolled through the screen of her mobile phone with a picture of her beloved grandson. along with saying “This photo was taken while traveling in Pattaya. Told you not to wear sunglasses and didn’t listen. because he likes to wear”
Voice from the rescue team
The head of the rescue team, Udon Thani Foundation, admits that there have been many misfortunes in the past 30 years, but never as “hard” as this time, but will send the children to their families the best.
“Is it a rehearsal plan? Or is it true?” This was the first question that popped up in Prajak Wongrod, head of the rescue team from the Udon Thani Foundation, told the BBC Thai. After receiving the news of the shooting incident of young children at the Child Development Center at Na Klang District, Nong Bua Lamphu Province that happened yesterday (6 Oct.)
He then asked for confirmation with the rescue team once more and found that it was true. because this rescue team is already at the scene By stating that the voice on the end of the line that there are many people who have died and haven’t been able to enter the area, so ask for support to help. Then he organized a team of rescuers from the Thamma Udon Foundation. Heading to the scene at Na Klang District
The mission required more than 50 rescuers, he said when reaching the scene. Found the first body at the Child Development Center Two of the dead were shot. and was informed that Still inside for over 20 bodies, but still can’t get in. to wait for the medical team and then gradually coordinate what to do When you’re ready, go in. with his team being the first team And there were regarding 6 medical teams coming in, but from the condition seen at the scene, everyone was taken aback.
“I went in for the first time and the doctor fainted because I had never seen anything like this,” he said.
BBC Thai was unable to elaborate on what the rescue chief told him. because it will reinforce the bad conditions that occur But this rescue leader said It was probably the first bad incident in my life as a rescue volunteer.
“I’ve been here for regarding 30 years and I’ve had a lot of experience. but never seen this heavy but never met myself just met for the first time Go in and feel pity, sorrowful.” He explained how he felt from the tragic event that had just happened.
However, speaking as the person responsible for handling the bodies of the deceased, he pledged: “I do my best Every autopsy, what is the child, where is it? Arrive at the hospital, we will decorate it as best as possible. But we will decorate it to finish it in beautiful condition and put it in a beautiful coffin.”
Today (October 7), the Udon Thani Dharma Foundation’s rescue team acted as the body of the deceased to all the coroners at Udon Thani Hospital in the morning before the body was transported to three temples, including temples. Sri Uthai 10, Sri Samran Temple 6, and Rat Samakkhi Temple 20
“We have coordinated with the leader of Na Klang district and relatives (dead people) do not have to come here. The Rescue Unit of the Promotion of Dharma Foundation will be delivered to his house. We’re going to put on a new coffin, take a shower, and get dressed together like this. Let relatives wait for the documents so that they won’t be troubled,” said Prajak.
the other side of the loss
Komsan Norabutr is another person who lost. because his ex-wife remarry the perpetrator that before the end of his own life Killed his wife and 3-year-old son that Komsan had with his wife.
“I’m at the factory. When my friend told me to go see the news I called my ex-wife and child. that they are ok But no one picked it up,” he said. “My son is a good boy, he likes to talk. I’m waiting for his body. will see his face for the last time.”
At this time, the authorities have moved the bodies of the 20 deceased to Wat Rat Samakkhi. for relatives to bring evidence to confirm Ready to open the coffin to see the corpse with the sound of a mother screaming as if suffocating loudly periodically until the officers had to come to first aid
For the funeral chanting ceremony of the deceased in this event, the initial 3 nights will be held in 3 temples: Wat Sri Uthai, Wat Rat Samakkhi. and Sri Samran Temple
As for the body of the attacker, the police chief said the three temples did not want to accept it. therefore had to coordinate with the mother of the perpetrator to take the ceremony elsewhere