CHACHOENGSAO: Almost 100 politicians and their aides, both from the government and opposition camps, appeared at Wat Saen Phu Dat temple in Ban Pho district of this eastern Central province on Saturday for a funeral prayer for a young security guard who hanged herself after posting a drawing of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha online.
Plaifon Amsarika, 19, a security guard in Bangkok, posted before her suicide that her life was full of miseries under his government. She described the prime minister as "heartless".
According to police, Plaifon, a native of Chachoengsao’s Ban Pho district, was found hanged in her room at a dormitory on Soi Phetkasem 47 in Bang Khae district, Bangkok about 1.55am on April 28.
Her story made headlines on social and mainstream Thai media. Her message drew wide public attention and comments, particularly among both current and former politicians, mostly in the oppsition bloc.
Even the name of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra appeared on a white board at the funeral site at Wat Saen Phu Dam temple in Chachoengsao's Ban Pho district, indicating that he was a host for an evening prayer held daily prior to the cremation.
At 6pm on Saturday when the prayer began, Suporn Atthawong, a vice minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, was seen talking to a group of reporters in front of the pavilion where the prayer took place.
Pitha Limjaroenrat, leader of the opposition Move Forward Party in parliament, was invited to light candles and incense sticks in front of the casket containing Plaifon's body, signifying the start of the prayer.
Nearly 100 politicians and their aides, from both the government and opposition blocs, were present for the prayer.
Among them were Chaturon Chaisaeng, a veteran Chachoengsao politician who was a former deputy prime minister and former core-member of the now-defunct Thai Raksa Chart Party, his brother Wuthipong Chaisaeng, a former science and technology minister, Karom Pornpromklang, a list-MP of the Move Forward Party, and Pol Lt Gen Kreerin Inkaew, chairman of the advisory committee of the Move Forward Party.
Tawee Sodsong, secretary-general of the Prachachart Party, Benja Saengchan, a list-MP of the Move Forward Party, Nikom Boonwiset, leader of the Palang Puangchon Thai Party, and Jirat Thongsuwan, a Move Forward Party MP for Chachoengsao's Constituency 4, were also in attendance.
Mr Pitha declined to give a press interview.
