The spirits of a family of three—parents and child—victims of the 'Pong gang' were sent off, with relatives cursing the perpetrators and demanding the death penalty. The younger sister believes her elder sister's spirit remains vengeful after the tragic incident, which was accompanied by strange occurrences.
At 16:00 on 8 Aug 2026, at Khao Boonmee Dararam Temple (Thung Kha Temple), Huay Yai Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province, Mr. Phongsathit Pichanan, Deputy Governor of Chonburi, presided over the cremation meeting for the family of three—Mr. Wichian Wongsa, 53; Ms. Chanthana Chatin, 50; and Ms. Nichapa Wongsa, 18—victims buried alive by the 'Pong gang.' The abbot, Phra Kru Palat Theerayut Chotiko, known as "Luang Phi X," led the monastic side. Many government agencies, police from Huay Yai Police Station, local administrators, village heads, and residents attended amid a sorrowful atmosphere.
The ceremony began around noon with people offering alms and food to the monks, dedicating merit to the deceased family. This was followed by chanting the Matika Bangsukoon prayer. Then, the three bodies were moved to the temple crematorium, where a traditional dance troupe and local women's groups from Huay Yai performed in front of the coffins.
The cremation ceremony began simultaneously at 16:00, with the Deputy Governor presiding. The temple authorities cremated each body separately, allotting about three hours per body, starting with the father, then the mother, and finally the daughter. This approach facilitated the separation of the ashes and was expected to conclude by early the next morning.
Mrs. Pranee Chatin, 68, mother of Ms. Chanthana, said she still cannot accept what happened. After her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter died, she lost appetite and could not sleep. When the three bodies were found, she was at home in Bueng Village, Huay Yai Subdistrict, around 2 a.m. Her daughter called to say the eldest daughter's body was discovered. After the call, a foul smell of decay permeated the area. She believes her daughter’s spirit returned to her home.
If her daughter's spirit can hear this, she wants to say not to worry about her mother and siblings and to rest in peace. She also wants "Pong" to receive the death penalty, questioning why he should continue to trouble others. "If it were your sibling treated this way, wouldn't you be heartbroken? One person killed many. Why let him live?" she said.
Mrs. Prisna Blundell, known as Tukta (Tuk-Ta), 45, a relative of the three victims, expressed gratitude to all agencies, police, citizens, the abbot, and monks who helped organize the funeral for her sister, brother-in-law, and niece. She also thanked the many people who attended the four-night funeral vigil, believing the family can sense the support, even those who never knew them personally.
Regarding whether her sister is worried, she believes her sister is concerned about the case and wants the police to pursue the 'Pong' case to the fullest extent and impose the death penalty. This sentiment is shared not only by her family but also by the public, who want 'Pong' to be sentenced to death to bring peace to the spirits of her sister, brother-in-law, and niece, as well as to the community.
When asked during the funeral if anything unusual occurred or if the spirits appeared in dreams, Tukta said no one had dreamt or seen the spirits. However, on the night of 6 Aug, a staff member selling pork rinds at the funeral described a strange event: while sleeping near the coffins on a large wooden two-person bench, the bench suddenly collapsed. The bench was heavy and large, and nobody was nearby. Hearing this, she thought the spirits of her sister and family still harbored anger toward 'Pong.'
Mr. Somnuek Chatin, 55, the blood uncle of the victims, said he still cannot accept the events and insisted the family wants 'Pong' to receive the death penalty. He also recounted strange incidents at the victims' home in the past 2-3 days, including dogs howling all night. A hotel employee passing by reported seeing a man feeding the dogs at night, which aligns with the behavior of Mr. Wichian, one of the victims, who loved and often fed his dogs late at night.