Huge turn-out for respected police officer's funeral
Around 100,000 people attended the funeral of renowned police officer Khun Phantharak Rajjadej at Mahathat Worra Maha Wiharn temple in Nakhon Si Thammarat, causing heavy traffic congestion in the area.
Officials cancelled the free distribution of the much sought-after Jatukham Rammathep amulets after crowd problems at the crematorium where a large number of people fainted. The amulets were given only to senior guests and would be distributed to the public later on.Thousands of people arrived at the temple shortly after midnight on Wednesday and police had to close major roads leading to the temple at 10am yesterday, forcing late arrivals to walk to the temple. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn presided over the cremation ceremony. The funeral was under the patronage of Their Majesties the King and Queen. Phantharak, who had a modern rank of police major general, died of natural causes at the age of 108 last July. He was known for his honesty and integrity along with his renowned performance in crime suppression and his practice of white magic and the amulets he helped produce. A combined force of around 4,000 soldiers and police provided security for the funeral and a large number of medical staff were busy treating people who succumbed to the heat. Books on Phantharak and the Jatukham Rammathep amulets along with his posters sold like hot cakes - although they were highly overpriced. Saroj Pankaew, a 65-year-old villager, said his late father demanded he attend Phantharak's funeral because of a personal favour his father owed the late police officer. Phantharak entered police service at the age of 27 and was the commander of a regional police area before his retirement. He died on July 5, last year. He is survived by 12 children, four of whom are from his second wife. The Nation
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