Tens of Thousands Attend Royal Cremation of Thongchai Yenpraserit
Thousands of people gathered at Saphan Soong Temple in Nonthaburi for the royal cremation ceremony of former provincial administrator Thongchai Yenprasert, with traffic congestion and packed grounds reflecting the solemn public farewell.
Nonthaburi — On August 19, 2026, the royal cremation ceremony of Pol. Col. Thongchai Yenpraserit, former governor of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organization, was held at Sapan Sung Temple in Khlong Phra Udom subdistrict, Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi province. The ceremony was presided over by Somdet Phra Maha Ratchmongkol Muni, a senior member of the Mahatherasamakhom Committee and chief abbot of Trimitr Witthayaram Temple, with Deputy Prime Minister Throngsakdi Tongsri serving as the lay representative.
The atmosphere throughout the ceremony was deeply solemn. Over ten thousand residents, government officials, politicians, village leaders, teachers, doctors, and police officers from Nonthaburi and neighboring provinces attended, overwhelming the temple's capacity. Chairs arranged throughout the temple grounds proved insufficient, and traffic congestion extended far beyond the temple entrance as mourners continued to arrive throughout the day.
The Yenpraserit family distributed amulets of Luang Pu Iem from Sapan Sung Temple, marking the temple's 130-year anniversary, to all attendees. The amulets were accompanied by a sticker on the back of the box reading: "The final gift from Pol. Col. Thongchai Yenpraserit."
