A mournful atmosphere surrounded the royal cremation ceremony for Sgt. Peerayut Naowilai Charoen, a brave soldier who died while on a mission defending sovereignty at the Aranyaprathet border area. His 3-year-old daughter shouted 'I love you, Dad' and waved goodbye one last time.
On 31 Dec 2025 GMT+7 at 3:00 p.m., at Wat Jaeng, Na Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang Prachinburi District, Prachinburi Province, General Natthaphon Nakpanich, Minister of Defence, presided over the royal cremation ceremony for Sgt. Peerayut Naowilai Charoen, known as Sgt. Kew, age 35, assigned to the 2nd Artillery Battalion, 2nd King's Guard Artillery Regiment. He was a brave soldier who died on 27 Dec 2025 GMT+7 while on duty defending Thai sovereignty during a clash at the Thai-Cambodian border in Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo Province.
Present at the ceremony were Mr. Weeraphan Deeorn, Governor of Prachinburi Province; Mr. Chanathip Khokmanee, Deputy Governor of Prachinburi; Major General Sitthiporn Julpana, Deputy Commander of the 1st Army Area; Major General Seksan Promsak, Commander of the 12th Military Circle; heads of all government sectors; military personnel; and more than 1,000 citizens attending the event.
Starting at 10:00 a.m., Mr. Weeraphan Deeorn, Governor of Prachinburi, Mr. Chanathip Khokmanee, Deputy Governor, and other government officials participated in chanting Buddhist prayers, delivering sermons, and reciting traditional funeral chants at the Phetprasit Hall.
At 12:30 p.m., a ritual was held to carry the coffin around the crematorium three times at Wat Jaeng. The coffin was then placed on the cremation pyre platform. Relatives offered a Buddhist monk’s robe (split into three parts) on the platform. Monks were invited to lead the ceremonial circumambulation of the pyre, waving ceremonial fans. Guests were invited to offer robes as well. Officials then brought in the royal cremation urn and the royal monk’s robe to the ceremony area. Relatives and officials dressed in white mourning attire lined up to receive the royal cremation urn.
After placing the coffin on the pyre platform, relatives lifted 3-year-old Viviv, Sgt. Kew’s daughter, to stand beside the crematorium holding her father’s cherished bulletproof vest. Viviv waved to the soldiers standing nearby and shouted her love for Sgt. Kew, saying, "Daddy has gone to run and exercise in heaven. I miss you, Daddy. There are toys in heaven, and Daddy throws toys down to Viviv."
At 2:15 p.m., an honor guard platoon of one squad, armed with pistols and accompanied by a bugler, lined up beside the crematorium. Relatives of the deceased read a gratitude statement for the royal grace and recited Sgt. Peerayut Naowilai Charoen’s biography. At 3:00 p.m., the ceremony president placed flower trays made from popped rice and flowers in front of the coffin. The honor guard sounded the funeral bugle, and attendees stood in silent tribute.
Following this, the ceremony president lit the royal cremation fire. The honor guard played a funeral march. Military officers folded the national flag, placed it in a box, and presented it to the heir or host family. Financial aid and royal grants were also presented. Afterwards, monks, government officials, and citizens proceeded to place sandalwood flowers in sequence.
Ms. Thanyanit Worakunnantasak, Sgt. Kew’s mother, tearfully expressed her deep gratitude for the royal grace from His Majesty the King and all government agencies. She said she was very proud of her son, who loved his profession and wanted to be a soldier since childhood. He always called to reassure her, "Mom, don't worry about Kew. He is fine." She added, "I am very proud of my son. He never disappointed me. I will continue to help take care of my granddaughter."
Meanwhile, Ms. Suwadee Lunwongsa, sister of Sgt. Kew’s wife, remained grief-stricken and tearful. She said, "I want to tell Kew that I will take care of Viviv in his place. I might not be as good as Kew, but I promise to care for her well. I hope Kew rests peacefully in heaven." She added that Kew loved his family deeply and that everyone loved him back. "He fulfilled his duty with utmost dedication. He had packed his things ready to come home and was proud to be where he was. I am touched by the royal grace and thankful to everyone."
General Natthaphon Nakpanich, Minister of Defence, expressed his deepest condolences to Sgt. Kew’s family, offered encouragement to the bereaved relatives, and served as a witness in the ceremony presenting the national flag draped over the coffin, a certificate of honor, royal financial aid, assistance from the army, and compensation from the 1st Army Area. These were given to honor and recognize the sacrifice of the brave soldier.
Tomorrow (1 Jan 2026 GMT+7), there will be a 'Samhab Bone Collection' ceremony, a traditional ritual to gather the ashes after cremation. This important ceremony symbolizes the sending of the spirit to a peaceful afterlife.