Tragedy Strikes Bangkok Mall: Mourning the Victims
On the outskirts of Thailand’s capital city, hundreds gathered to mourn the victims of last week’s shooting rampage at a Bangkok mall. Among the mourners was Khin Win, the devastated mother of Moe Myint, a Burmese woman who tragically lost her life in the incident. The cremation ceremony, held in Nonthaburi province north of Bangkok, was a solemn affair, leaving Khin Win in a dazed state as she bid farewell to her 31-year-old daughter.
The shooting spree, which took place at the luxury Siam Paragon shopping centre, resulted in two fatalities, including Moe Myint. The incident also left five others wounded and caused panic among the shoppers, who hurriedly made their way to the exits. The alleged shooter, a 14-year-old boy who reportedly suffered a psychological breakdown, has been charged with premeditated murder and illegal possession of a firearm, among other charges.
Khin Win, who flew in from Myanmar for the cremation, witnessed the Burmese-style ceremony as her daughter’s remains were brought in a procession into the temple. Led by a saffron-robed monk, the procession carried a white coffin adorned with gold trim. Mourners paid their respects by reaching into the casket and touching the body, which had been shrouded in green. Sandalwood flowers were then burned beneath the casket before it was placed in the incinerator.
Overwhelmed by grief, Khin Win clasped her hands in prayer, staring ahead with a heavy heart. However, some solace came in the form of Moe Myint’s employer, Aksorn Chantarojvanich, who attended the funeral. Chantarojvanich pledged to provide the family with 10,000 baht ($270) per month, matching the remittances Moe Myint had been sending home.
Thai Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong, present at the ceremony, made a promise to the grieving families: “We will ensure fair processes, provide support to the victims, and handle the affairs of the deceased’s family with utmost care.”
In a letter released by the government, the father of the teenage suspect expressed remorse and vowed full cooperation with the authorities. “We offer our deepest apologies to the victims,” he wrote. “My family and I would like to humbly ask for forgiveness and extend our profound apologies.”
The tragic events at the Bangkok mall have left a community in mourning and a nation in shock. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on supporting the victims’ families and seeking justice for the lives lost.
