Regarding the case of Re McDonald or Re McDonald the young actor and travel YouTuber who passed away at his home on 19 Aug 2026 GMT+7, his family held a funeral at Wat Yang, a royal temple. Friends including Chakrit Yaemnam, Ann Phattira Rungroj, Kleua Kitti Chiewwongkul, and Pele Christopher Washington or Pele TeenTalk served as main organizers helping to prepare the funeral for Re. The four opened up to the media about their preparations for Re’s final farewell.
Is this considered a joint effort as main organizers preparing the funeral for Re?
Kleua Kitti: Last night was truly a collective effort. Everyone gathered at Re’s house with the primary goal of organizing the funeral. But another key purpose was to support and encourage each other emotionally, which was very important.
How did you divide the responsibilities?
Pele: Honestly, this isn’t something I’m skilled at, but I tried to give input and we divided the tasks. There were two main sides: one going to the hospital and one staying to welcome guests here.
Kleua Kitti: The side handling the press waiting was Ann’s responsibility.
Pele: The person you see receiving us today is Ann.
Ann Phattira: My duty was at the temple, welcoming reporters who arrived since noon, and managing food, the pavilion, wreaths, and guest reception.
Pele posted on Facebook about preparations for Re. What exactly did you prepare?
Pele: Oh, nothing special. As I said, it’s not something we’re skilled at, but it had to be done quickly. We talked until midnight; many people wanted to be involved, so we had to coordinate smoothly. We had to avoid frustration or conflicts and pay attention to every detail to ensure everything went well. There were no surprises, just many friends and many guests attending, which I believe Re would have appreciated.
Kleua Kitti: Everything was done to reflect Re’s personality as much as possible. I feel if he saw it, he would have liked it.
Pele: Re loved the color orange. If you notice the flowers, decorations, and photo frames, they all feature his color, going back to his TeenTalk days. If you watch TeenTalk, the color orange is prominent.
So the details of the event were all things that Re liked, right?
Kleua Kitti: Yes, even the souvenirs involved everyone’s contribution.
Chakrit: Close friends helped with everything: food, management, rescue teams, the temple. Friends got together and carefully reviewed things to see if anything was missed or forgotten. Honestly, I wasn’t sure either. When we arrived today, the temple didn’t have a cold storage room, but the rescue team anticipated the need and prepared one. Everything happened so suddenly. We thank all parties and the reporters who came, who were very kind, patient, and waited for us.
Pele: We also thank everyone for cooperating from early morning. Those who went to the hospital, everything went smoothly with no issues. Thank you all very much.
Pele had a long bond with Re. What would you like to say to him?
Pele: It’s hard to say everything. I still talk to him—not as if it’s over—but maybe I talk to him in my heart or reflect back. It’s a personal memory. Of course, among friends, we share and exchange thoughts. If I had to say something... I don’t think our conversations have ended. We’re still talking.
May I go back to two years ago when Re posted a photo with the message, "Death can come anytime, I’m ready." Do you recall that image?
Kleua: I saw it on social media.
As a close friend, do you see Re as someone deeply understanding the truth of life and death?
Kleua Kitti: Very much so. From what I know of Re, he felt prepared to face everything. It truly reflected who he was. Chakrit: He gave his all in everything. He was a traveler who had seen and learned much from the world. He had a unique mindset, reflection, and determination that defined him and made us all love him. He remains a good example for many younger generations. Now, who knows where he might be traveling.
Is there anything the friends want to continue in Re’s memory?
Pele: May I answer this? The journey continues. We haven’t had a formal discussion yet, but broadly we want Re’s travels to keep going. We’ll discuss the form later.
Chakrit: The planned work and travels to the South, or family matters, will be discussed further. The work must go on.
There was a joke on social media about Chakrit’s house having a room for Re. Could you clarify?
Pele: Odd days are Re’s, even days are mine.
Chakrit: It’s a playful joke among friends. Actually, whether it’s our house, Lae’s house, mine, or Kleua’s, they’re all like our homes because we see each other often. So it’s almost like our home anywhere. It’s just a playful term for a “rest room” where anyone can stay if they need to (laughs).
But since it was shared widely, people misunderstood it as a room made specifically for Re?
Ann Phattira: No, no, it was just a joke among us.
Chakrit: It’s a public room. Friends in New York ask if the room is ready when they return.
The images everyone saw reflect the strong bonds and caring friendship, right?
Pele: Many thanks to netizens for understanding the true meaning, because that is exactly how we are.
How do you support each other emotionally or share stories?
Chakrit: It’s ongoing. When we were younger, we lived together seven days a week for 10 to 20 years. As families grew with children and responsibilities, we each followed our own paths, but we still meet every four to five months, sometimes not even once a year.
But when we meet, it feels like just yesterday. We talk openly about everything—work, directions, or when to reunite. We always communicate. After an event ends, it’s still not final; it’s ongoing work and responsibility. We keep each other updated.
What do you think is your biggest concern?
Chakrit: As a father, it’s naturally his child, wife, and family—that’s always his top priority.
We saw a photo of Nong Pho hugging Re’s son Mika?
Ann Phattira: Actually, yesterday both Kleua’s and our children were there. We wanted to comfort Mika, who is likely aware but doesn’t show his sadness.
Kleua Kitti: We feel that during such loss, the best help is friendship. We went to support Mam (Re’s wife), who is a mother, but we also think Mika deserves friendship to help him through this loss. Pho and Ram helped care for Mika. Mika is a lovely, well-liked child with strong support from many friends.
Is Mika a spitting image of Re?
Ann Phattira: All the kids resemble their fathers (laughs)—whether Kleua’s child, Chakrit’s child, or ours.
Thinking about Re as a man and as a friend, did you make any promises to continue supporting each other?
Ann Phattira: Since he passed suddenly, we didn’t make formal promises, but as we spend time together and bring the kids to meet, we always say we will look after one another.
Chakrit: We are one family. It doesn’t require plans or discussions because although our friend isn’t here, Mam and Mika remain. Their family remains, and we are always here. He is also here for us in spirit. We support each other when needed.
Kleua Kitti: The term friend doesn’t only mean me and Re. Re’s family—Mam and Mika—are our family as well. So there’s no need to discuss how to care for each other, because they are already part of our family.
What would you like to say to the fans who have sent so much support?
Chakrit: Thank you very much. Thank you to the whole country. Yesterday and today felt as if the world stopped for him. The support means so much to the family and friends. As I said... (pauses; Kleua pats his shoulder to encourage) he is who he is, and we are who we are, as everyone knows. He departed in his own way.
You were with Re all along. What do you want to say to him?
Chakrit: Normally, I’d say, “Hey, shall we meet?” Sometimes after being together so long, we don’t need to say much—sometimes just a look or a call suffices. Sometimes, both of us are the type that won’t... unless it’s time.
Ann Phattira: Yes, when we meet, he’d say “Hey,” but the love and bond are understood. It’s not like sweet talk or declarations of love.
Chakrit: We’re like siblings, not just friends, since we’ve been together since childhood. We think alike in many ways, so there’s no need to say or remind each other much. But we do remind each other about health, mostly he reminds me (laughs).
What lessons or perspectives has Re’s sudden passing taught you?
Chakrit: About strength, character, mindset, principles of fighting, determination, and resilience. When I was a kid, if I was lazy or sulking, my mother would say, “Look at Re, you’re not even half like him.”
Do the kids support each other emotionally like this?
Pele: Mika is very strong.
Kleua Kitti: Yesterday, when I arrived, the kids were playing together.
Pele: I know he doesn’t want anyone to worry. He’s as strong as his father.
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