The family of the eighth victim in the train-bus collision has come to collect the body and tearfully opened up, revealing that the deceased lived alone without a family, leaving only distant relatives. They insist they do not expect any compensation money, only wishing to bring the body back for religious rites. Meanwhile, the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority and the State Railway of Thailand have committed to covering all expenses and compensating the families fully, and providing care.
On 26 May 2026, at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Police General Hospital, the family of Mr. Sermlap Pinthong, known as “Ae”, aged 44, the eighth and final victim of the tragic train-bus collision at the Asoke-Din Daeng intersection, came to collect the body for religious funeral rites. Previously, no relatives had come forward to report or seek the missing person.
The police continuously pursued leads in the case until they traced the last Instagram story posted by “Nong Rose”, or Ms. Wiparak Paopuree, one of the deceased, which linked to information from a close friend of the victim who called to report the friend missing from work under unusual circumstances. This led to contacting Mr. Phairat, a paternal cousin of the deceased, to provide DNA for identification confirmation, successfully verifying the identity despite the two never having met before.
Mrs. Nantawan, known as “Nan,” aged 60, a maternal relative of the deceased who traveled with other relatives from Nonthaburi Province, revealed that she raised the deceased since childhood and once shared the same home before they separated and had not seen each other for over 30 years.
She said that although they lost touch, they maintained contact and helped each other. Whenever there was an issue, the deceased would always be called. She admitted that when the accident happened, she was watching the news and never imagined one of the victims was a family member until the victim’s friends and employer contacted her, prompting her to come immediately last week to handle the arrangements.
“He lived a lonely life and sometimes didn’t answer calls, so we rarely talked. When we did, it was usually on special days. He was talented, hardworking, and well-behaved. His parents and younger sibling have all passed away. He worked in insurance, walked to work, returned home late every day. Sometimes when we visited, we had to stand waiting outside the dark house because he wasn’t home yet. He had no family; his life was very sad.” Mrs. Nantawan added.
She confirmed that their visit was not motivated by any desire for assets or compensation; the family only wished to bring the body back for religious merit-making and to say a final farewell.
“We do not expect any money at all. Even if we receive nothing, it’s fine. We just want to care for and send him off in the best way possible.”
Afterward, the family will hold religious rites for the deceased at Chompoo Wek Temple in Mueang Nonthaburi District, Nonthaburi Province, where the bones of the victim’s parents and sister are enshrined. The family has yet to access the victim’s residence and is still discussing plans.
Meanwhile, Mr. Thanakorn Sangkaew, Director of the Personnel Development Office at the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, who was present today, expressed condolences to the victim’s family. He said BMTA will take full responsibility for handling the body, organizing religious ceremonies, and facilitating various arrangements, including compensation according to relevant regulations. The relatives can set the dates and procedures as they wish.
Mr. Thanakorn added that BMTA has already provided care to the families of the previous seven victims, sending staff to assist closely with funeral arrangements.
Mr. Pralongphon Thiwong, personnel and executive of the State Railway of Thailand, also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and stated that SRT is ready to take responsibility for related matters going forward.