Fire Victim's Husband: Officials Never Contacted Me
Husband of nightclub fire victim says he received no official notification and had to independently locate his wife at hospitals after learning of her death from a friend on July 15.
At 13:50 on July 15, 2026, at the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the Police Hospital, Washin, husband of Jatuporn, one of the victims of the nightclub fire, arrived to claim his wife's body. He revealed that he learned of his wife's death around 11:00 a.m. on the day of the incident, when her friend called to notify him.
He then traveled to the scene to inquire with police officers before being advised to check various hospitals, as authorities were unable to immediately confirm the identity of victims.
Washin stated that initially he did not know the names of the affected individuals. Police informed him that two women in critical condition were being treated at Rachavithi Hospital, so he went to check and found his wife there. Throughout this period, no authorities contacted him to provide information or assistance—only his wife's friend called with news. He had to handle all matters himself, including tracking down the injured and coordinating with various agencies. It was only upon arriving at the Institute of Forensic Medicine that he received guidance on procedures for receiving the body and other support.
His wife, who lived in the Tha Phra area of Bangkok, had told him on the day of the incident that she was going to a friend's birthday party before leaving home. She did not regularly visit that particular venue. The friend who accompanied her remains in critical condition at Phra Mongkut King's Institute of Technology Hospital.
Regarding compensation, Washin acknowledged some concerns but declined to comment on the initial assistance of 10,000 baht that the establishment would provide, saying he still lacks details and must prioritize funeral arrangements first.
Washin added that he and his wife have two adult children—a daughter and a son—both of whom have finished their education and are employed. Despite this tragic loss causing great trauma to the family, he is not overly worried about their future. When asked how he would manage life without his wife by his side, he simply replied, "It's alright, I still have my children," before excusing himself to handle paperwork and take his wife's body for religious rites at Wat Predoo in Thonburi, Phetchkasem Soi 15, his wife's family temple.
