NAKHON RATCHASIMA: Families of the victims of the worst mass shooting in the country's history are holding on to hope that their loved ones, some still in intensive care units, will recover soon.
Boonthan Karun, father of Pol Sgt Kritsada Karun, says he and his family are hoping his son will be miraculously healed.
Pol Sgt Kritsada is a member of the Arintharaj 26 anti-terrorist unit under the Metropolitan Police Bureau, which fought the gunman inside the sprawling Terminal 21 shopping mall in Nakhon Ratchasima.
The officer was shot in the head during the Feb 8 police operation to tackle the gunman, and was rushed to Maharaj Hospital. He has been in ICU since.
Mr Boonthan says he knows it will be tough for his son to make a full recovery, but said he was told by doctors that Pol Sgt Kritsada was slowly improving.
"Every day we see little improvements. We can only hope a miracle comes along," the father said tearfully.
Nakhon Phanom-born Pol Sgt Kritsada dreamed of being a policeman since he was a child, his father said. But since he did not like desk jobs, he signed up for the elite Arintharaj 26 team. Pol Sgt Kritsada's decision to join the police was inspired by his father, a retired border patrol policeman.
"My son is a fighter and always wants to help. He has been supporting the family and now it's our turn to look after him. We hope he will win this fight and can come home with us," Mr Boonthan said.
Also in the same ICU is Uthai Khan-arsa, a security guard at Terminal 21.
Mr Uthai was shot in the hip by the gunman while trying to escort shoppers to safety. He is in a serious condition as the bullet cut his intestine.
Mr Uthai's father, Thongbai Khan-arsa, 66, said upon hearing his son had been shot, he drove from his home in Sakon Nakhon to Nakhon Ratchasima, and has been outside the ICU room since.
"I'm an old farmer. I never imagined this would happen to someone in my family, so I don't know what to do. I have told my wife that I will stay at the hospital until my son is discharged.
"I am hoping that a miracle helps my son regain consciousness. All I want is for him to survive, even if his body is not in perfect condition," said Thongbai who was on the verge of tears.
Public donations, meanwhile, have been pouring in, Nakhon Ratchasima governor Wichian Chantharanothai said, adding that the total had soared to 58 million baht on Friday.
Authorities will initially provide 300,000 baht to each victim's family, the governor said, adding that "every single baht of the donated money" will reach families of those killed or injured in the shooting spree.
Donations can be made via Krungthai Bank, account number 678-9-97951-1, or in person at the provincial hall, Mr Wichian said.