A tearful father traveled to receive the body of his daughter, one of the victims in the 'crane collapse on train' incident in Sikhiu District, Nakhon Ratchasima. He revealed his sadness, saying that at 71 years old as a mortician who has seen thousands of deaths, he never imagined he would witness his own child's death in this way.
On 15 Jan 2026 GMT+7, outside the morgue at Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, where bodies from the high-speed train construction crane collapse onto the Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani passenger train in Sikhiu District, Nakhon Ratchasima, were brought for autopsy and identification. The accident caused 32 deaths, 64 injuries, and 3 missing persons. Relatives began arriving with documents to claim the bodies.
Earlier this morning, forensic police met with doctors from Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital and victims' relatives to confirm the victims' identities. Officials from the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Justice Office also joined to explain compensation measures to the families.
At 11:00 a.m., Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital confirmed the identification of 12 victims and authorized relatives to take the bodies back to their hometowns for traditional funeral rites.
Meanwhile, Mr. Boonyuen Jathong, 71, father of Ms. Alisa Jathong, one of the deceased, told reporters he had been waiting since morning to receive his daughter's body. Officials informed him that the bodies would be sent back to Sisaket free of charge. His daughter had traveled from Bangkok with a relative seated beside her to attend a funeral in Sisaket Province. Both died in the accident. During the journey, she kept in contact with him, reporting her train ticket and journey to her brother-in-law in Sisaket until contact was lost. Her brother-in-law rushed to the accident site to search for her and kept calling.
He added that he used to be a village mortician at 71 years old and had seen thousands of deaths but never thought he would have to collect his own daughter's body. He never expected such an accident to happen. On the day his daughter left Bangkok, she called him saying she was going to Sisaket and told him which train she boarded. He dreamed of a vehicle resembling a train but without wheels; in the dream, his daughter asked if he was getting on, and he said no. Ultimately, the accident occurred.
The deceased was the youngest child and a pillar of the family. He had come since early morning. The previous night, he stayed in Non Sung District and felt his daughter was visiting him all night. As a mortician, he was not afraid but saw a shadow knocking on the door, seeming to say she wanted to come home. He told her not to worry, saying, "My child, I'll take you home soon. Don't worry about the grandchildren; I will take care of them and support their education fully."
Regarding assistance and compensation, he said he did not know what to say and just wanted accountability. He said his family had nothing and he pitied his daughter, having not slept all night.