"Teacher Add" expressed sorrow after a house fire in Ayutthaya destroyed the coffin containing his wife's remains, who passed away 20 years ago. He said, "I'm sorry for not being able to care for her well enough." Family members and related agencies have come to support his mental health situation.,
At 22:30 on 16 August, Police Lieutenant Sakol Tojeen, an investigator at Bang Pa Han Police Station, received a report of a house fire within the Wat Kai community, Khwan Muang Subdistrict, Bang Pa Han District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. Fire trucks from nearby subdistrict municipalities and personnel from the Phutthaisawan Foundation were dispatched to extinguish the fire.
The scene was in a narrow alley where many fire trucks could not reach the house directly. Some firefighters had to drag hoses inside. The fire engulfed a house with a concrete ground floor and wooden upper floor, causing rapid fire spread. Firefighters worked to prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring houses. During firefighting, several gas cylinders exploded, so crews acted cautiously and coordinated with the electricity authority to cut power for safety. It took over an hour to control the fire, leaving only smoke. Initial checks found the house completely damaged.
The house belonged to Mr. Pornpisit Bamrungpruek, 85, a retired teacher. At the time, villagers helped evacuate him safely. Mr. Pornpisit lived alone; his daughter works in Bangkok, and his son visits occasionally.
Inside the house was the body of Mrs. Somporn, Mr. Pornpisit's wife, who died over 20 years ago. He had kept her remains in a wooden coffin at home due to his deep attachment and remembrance of her.
Officials entered the house to retrieve Mrs. Somporn’s body but found it burned, leaving only bones on the ground floor.
Additional information from villagers revealed Mr. Pornpisit stored old wood beside the house and regularly used a charcoal stove to cook rice and food for his dog. The house had experienced a fire several years ago, but it was controlled quickly and did not spread severely as in this incident.
Recently, Mrs. Somsong Phancharoenworakul, Chief of the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provincial Administrative Organization, and her team visited to offer support to Teacher Add’s family, providing survival kits and essential items to alleviate initial hardship. They also coordinated with medical teams and relevant officials to offer psychological care and support following the significant losses of home, possessions, and sentimental items.
Teacher Add’s son, who works at the Ayutthaya Provincial Administrative Organization, was granted leave to return home to care for the family and help manage household items. If machinery, equipment, or trucks are needed for moving or restoration, the organization is ready to provide appropriate support.
Mr. Kiattipatchai Bamrungpruek, 39, Teacher Add’s son, said his parents loved and cared for each other deeply. After his mother’s death, his father was unable to accept it and did not want to cremate her remains because of their strong bond. The children respected his wishes and allowed the mother’s body to be kept on the second floor as a memorial to their love.
This coming 20 December will mark 20 years since the mother’s death. Sadly, the recent fire destroyed the coffin and her remains, deeply distressing the family. In addition to the house and many possessions, nearly five baht of gold and some gold-cased amulets were partially burned.
However, after examining the ashes the next morning, the family found some of Teacher Add’s necklaces amid the debris, bringing relief as these items held great sentimental value and had been collected for a long time.
The fire’s cause is under detailed investigation by relevant authorities to determine the exact origin and assess the damage.
Teacher Add recounted the distressing event, saying he tried to fetch water to extinguish the fire but fell and was injured, sustaining wounds on his body and forehead. Seeing the fire spreading quickly beyond control, he shouted for help.
He admitted that at that moment, his only concern was the “body of his wife” that he had kept in the house for over 20 years due to their love and bond. However, the rapid and fierce fire prevented him from retrieving her remains. Throughout the years, he cared for and even prepared food for her as if she were still alive. He expressed regret and apologized for not taking better care of her. His last meal preparation before the fire included sticky rice with coconut milk, carefully made as when she was alive.
The family helped collect the grandmother’s bones to consult on further arrangements. Teacher Add is under his children’s care and receives encouragement from community leaders and local residents.