Rescue workers delivered the body of a Laotian man, an employee of the Lat Phrao beer factory who died in the fire, to Laotian rescue teams at the Mukdahan border checkpoint to return him to his hometown for his family to perform traditional funeral rites.
On 15 July 2026, reporters described a somber atmosphere at the Mukdahan border checkpoint on the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge No. 2 (Mukdahan–Savannakhet), in Bang Sai Yai subdistrict, Mueang district, Mukdahan province. The Poh Teck Tung Foundation vehicle brought the body of Thao Ponpasert Pungpani, a Laotian employee of the Lat Phrao beer factory who died in the fire, to hand over to the Khammouane Rescue Association (Disaster Relief Foundation, Khammouane province) of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) for repatriation.
After the handover by the Thai side, rescue vehicles from the Khammouane Rescue Association received the body to cross the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge No. 2 back to Ban Khruea Kha Kad, Kilometer 18, Uthumphon city, Savannakhet province, so the family could conduct merit-making and traditional religious funeral ceremonies according to Lao customs.
Regarding the Lat Phrao beer factory fire on the night of 12 July 2026, the death toll rose to 32 with many others injured. Among the deceased were two Laotian workers, Thao Ponpasert Pungpani and Nang Viengpon Chandawong, who were employees of the same establishment.
Thai and Lao authorities continue to cooperate closely, providing care for those affected, facilitating the repatriation of bodies, and offering ongoing assistance to the families of the victims in both countries.