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Published on September 20, 2007

Information Department deputy director-general Piriya Khempon yesterday said messages of sympathy from Surayud had been sent to the leaders of the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Ire-land, France, Sweden, Ger-many, Austria, Iran and Israel.

He explained that a message had not yet been sent to the prime minister of Italy, pending identification of a victim by the Italian Embassy in Bangkok. In a statement from London, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was "deeply sadden" to learn of the tragedy and that his "thoughts are with all those families waiting for news of loved ones, and those currently receiving treatment for their injuries".

"I am grateful to the Thai authorities for their efforts to care for those involved. I know the Embassy in Thailand and Foreign and Commonwealth Office personnel are doing all they can to support those caught up in this tragedy," Brown said.

The air crash killed 89 people and injured 41 others.

Meanwhile, police have yet to identify 31 bodies that were burned beyond recognition.

The Nation