UDON THANI/ CHIANG RAI — Two Thai nationals were among the 179 victims who perished when a Jeju Air aircraft crashed and exploded at Muan International Airport on December 29. The incident, which saw only two crew members survive, has cast a shadow over both Thai and Korean communities.
The Thai victims were identified as Sasithorn “Mei” Jae-ue, 22, a senior aviation business student at Bangkok University, and Jonglak Duangmanee, 49, a Thai expatriate worker who had just spent the holidays with her family in Thailand.
DREAMS CUT SHORT
Mei, from Thailand’s northern province of Chiang Rai, represented a beacon of hope for her ethnic minority community. Just three months shy of graduation, she was pursuing her dream of becoming a flight attendant. “She was our pride,” said her 37-year-old uncle, Thiraphat Jae-ue. “Few from our community reach university level, but Mei’s dedication showed what was possible.”
Mei was on her second visit to see her mother, Suthinee, who had lived in South Korea with a new family for over 10 years. Her mother, waiting anxiously at Muan International Airport, had received what would become her daughter’s final message at 00:24 a.m. on December 29 (Thailand time) – a simple note saying she was boarding her flight at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Family plans to repatriate her body for funeral rites in Thailand.
A FATHER’S REGRET
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Jonglak’s father, Bunchuai Duangmanee, 77, revealed he missed his final opportunity to see his daughter after she had spent December traveling around Thailand with her Korean husband, who had returned to South Korea earlier.
“She invited me for lunch two days before her flight, but I couldn’t make it,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion. “She was upset and said she wouldn’t return – I never imagined those words would become reality.”
In what would prove to be a tragic premonition, Bunchuai shared that his daughter had asked him to pay 10,000 baht for her funeral insurance to the Village and Urban Community Fund. “I never thought this money would be used so soon,” he said, fighting back tears. “I just want to see my daughter’s face one last time and tell her not to worry – may she rest in peace.”
Her final message, sent to her niece at 11:50 p.m. on December 28, read simply: “Are you asleep? I’m heading back.”
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed deep condolences to the families of those affected by the accident in a post on social platform X. She directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide immediate assistance, while local officials have been dispatched to support both families and coordinate with South Korean authorities.
“I am deeply saddened with today’s Jeju Air tragic incident, which two Thai nationals were among the deceased. My heartfelt condolences go out to all grieving families and all those that have lost loved ones. I have instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work closely with ROK’s relevant authorities to take best care of the bereaved families and on the immediate repatriation of the deceased,” said PM Paetongtarn.
The crash, which claimed predominantly South Korean lives, is currently under investigation by South Korean authorities. Meanwhile, two Thai families await the repatriation of their loved ones for traditional Buddhist ceremonies in their homeland.
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