Regarding the controversy over the ashes of the late young comedian actor, Neng Meng Jai, the ashes remain stored in a storage room at Wat Klang, Khlong 4, even though the cremation ceremony was held several days ago. They have not been taken home or used in any religious rites, sparking heated discussion online, leading to Ice Thalachanun, the wife of Neng Meng Jai, being heavily criticized.
Recently, Pa Chu from Wat Sewat, a close friend of Neng, arrived at Wat Klang Khlong 4 and gave an interview with the media alongside two of Neng Meng Jai’s elder sisters. Pa Chu said, “Our aim is to take the two younger siblings to meet the abbot to request the death certificate, then go to the Khu Khot police station to file a report. We also want officials to accompany us back to the abbot to request the ashes to be placed under our or the mother’s care. Leaving it like this, Neng remains here—it’s not right. The deceased should not be left without relatives or caretakers, stored in a storage room. I don’t think it’s appropriate.”
“I believe the siblings have full rights. Even if you are the registered wife, you have rights, so why not split it equally? Let the officials witness it, and each side can perform merit-making ceremonies for 100 days as they wish. Neng’s family will do theirs, and you do yours, then we end this amicably. No more drama. Leaving my brother in a storage room like this, no one can tolerate it.”
“Yuri arrived at 7 a.m., called me crying. Ball didn’t know anything yet. Within less than 10 minutes, it was as if Neng appeared in Ball’s dream. Ball woke up and asked where I was, if I was attending my mother’s memorial at Bhumrung. I said yes, we’ll meet at 5 p.m. I asked Ball if he knew what was happening; he said no. I told him to stay calm. Yuri is currently making merit for Neng, but then found Neng’s ashes in a RosDee box in the storage room. That’s how it is. I told Yuri not to act yet. Yuri recorded a video, and Ball called her immediately.”
“Ball called, crying. I cried many times today. Neng was a bond for 20 years. I have been with Ball for 25 years—we could die for each other. Neng was with Ball for over 10 years, even longer than you. But you took everything, even the liberty to call the grandchildren to sign papers. I don’t want to comment much, but to sign documents to make them the estate manager? How could you treat Penny like that?”
“I’m not saying this on live because the elders forbade it. Phi Mam forbade it too. But they haven’t signed yet; no one has done anything. At first, I wanted to post that no one has the right if my grandchild doesn’t sign, but I kept it to myself. I speak only what I can, but today I really can’t anymore. This isn’t right.”
When reporters asked about the insurance money Neng set up for his sisters, the two elder sisters said, “We don’t care about that. If he wants it, he can have it. The grandchildren don’t care either. No one wants anything from Neng. We only want to do the last rites for our brother. And the grandchildren want to do something for their father too. We just want to ask for the ashes so his children and us can perform merit-making and the final scattering of ashes.”
“Whether they do it or not is up to them, but we will do ours. We said we will handle it ourselves. But we hope we can get the ashes back. My heart wants them back. Since we’re here today, we must get them. We’ve tried contacting them, but they don’t answer. Even Neng’s daughter called again, and they said they would come, but not today. Honestly, they are not giving them. We don’t want their possessions; we just want to do things properly. The children want to do the last rites for their father, that’s all.”
When asked if they had asked why the ashes were withheld, the sisters replied, “Why ask them? It’s unnecessary.” Pa Chu added, “It’s in their subconscious; no need to ask. To all reporters today, I bow to you (raises hands in respect). I’ve answered all questions. This is the last day I will speak. I just want my brother’s ashes back to do the proper rites. If it were relatives like us and this happened, the deceased wouldn’t get a proper ceremony or final scattering.”
The sisters said they don’t know if the deceased would be at peace. Pa Chu added, “Yes, by now Neng might be sitting next to us crying because he hasn’t returned home.” The sisters continued, wondering if fate led them here to find things like this.
When asked if he had anything to ask Ice, Pa Chu replied, “I want to ask where your love for my brother is. You said you loved him so much, crying for seven days, but you left my brother’s ashes like this? Who does that? No one in Thailand, maybe in the world. Your heart is... I don’t know what to say. I can’t take it anymore.”
Asked why the ashes were kept here, Pa Chu said, “She hasn’t told me. If Yuri hadn’t come, no one would know.” Regarding comments expressing sympathy for the grandchildren and what could be done for them, Pa Chu said, “All of us—sisters, comedians—can take care of the grandchildren. We don’t want the money, house, or car. Take it all. Yuri has already said she and Ball are supporting the grandchildren.”
Afterwards, Pa Chu from Wat Sewat went to meet the abbot, joined by Mr. The Comedian. Pa Chu then told reporters they would file a report and request officials to accompany them. The abbot was busy but the monk was arranging to get a copy of the death certificate. If they follow the law, it should be possible. He said they would go immediately and ask if this is allowed. If officials say yes, they will follow the law; if not, that’s okay. He said he would stay overnight if needed, waiting until they come. Leaving early would be cowardly; he would wait until it’s resolved.
“If you come, we will separate and not interfere anymore. If you are watching me, please come. Let’s end this. I will even pay respects to you. Just come share half the ashes. I only ask that much, and we end well. For Neng’s sake, if you truly love him, come and share half. Let relatives perform the religious ceremonies. Please share so we can bring him home, to be in the care of his family. At night, he will have a place to rest, not wander in the temple like a restless spirit. My brother was famous but now is like a wandering ghost in the temple. That’s not right.”
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