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Published on September 18, 2007

Pittaya Wongwandee was confirmed dead and his cremation will be held at Bangkok's Wat Theplila on Sunday.

His twin brother, who is currently studying in England, will arrive today for the funeral. He said they were very close and that "I want my brother to possess me so that we can both achieve the dream of a singing career together".

Pittaya joined the recent True Academy Fantasia programme to achieve his dream of being a singer but only made it to the 50-finalist round. He then became a trainee air steward.

A True Corporation public relations official initially explained to the Manager that company executives were informed about what happened to Pittaya and had offered their condolences.

One-Two-Go Airlines yesterday arranged a special flight for relatives of victims.

Before boarding the flight, all 42 passengers of this special flight were in tears and clearly unable to cope with the loss of their loved ones.

Eighty nine people were killed when one of the airline's planes crash-landed and exploded at Phuket International Airport. The 41 other passengers survived with injuries.

Boontham Saikhiew, a 48-year-old man from Lampang, said his only son was killed in the accident. "I cannot think of anything. This is unbearable," he said.

According to him, his son called home before boarding that fateful flight to check how his family was doing. The young man was also the breadwinner of the family.

A grieving wife, Nida Chai-arun, blamed the Customs Department for her husband's death because it sent him to work in the South.

"My husband really did not want the transfer. The Customs Department made this happen," Nida said. "I am unable to come to terms with it. I saw him off to board the flight."

Airports of Thailand officials attended to the passengers of the special flight in a reception room at Don Mueang Airport.

The authority has also offered assistance with accommodation and return flights for the passengers.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont visited the relatives of the victims at the reception room. He promised to provide support and assistance where possible.

The Nation