Thousands Attend Funeral of Former Nonthaburi PAO President Thongchai Yenprasert

On August 19, 2026, thousands of mourners, including local residents, government officials, and politicians, gathered at Wat Saphan Sung in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, for the royal cremation ceremony of Police Colonel Thongchai Yenprasert, the former president of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO). According to Khaosod Online, the ceremony was presided over by Somdet Phra Maha Ratchamongkhon Muni, a member of the Sangha Supreme Council, and Deputy Prime Minister Songsak Thongsri, who served as the lay chairperson.

The atmosphere at the temple was described as somber as the community bid farewell to the former official. As a final gesture, the Yenprasert family distributed amulets of Luang Pu Eiam from Wat Saphan Sung to attendees, labeling them as a "final gift."

For residents and visitors in the Nonthaburi area, this event marks a significant moment of transition in local provincial leadership. While the funeral proceedings have concluded, the long-term impact on the local political landscape and the subsequent administrative transition for the Nonthaburi PAO remain to be confirmed. Travelers in the vicinity of Pak Kret may have experienced localized traffic congestion near the temple during the event, though normal operations are expected to resume.