Yutthanarong Singlor worked two jobs to ensure those he loved never went without, and was especially devoted to his son who suffers haemophilia.
Friends said Yutthanarong, 38, would rise at 5am for his full-time job as a messenger, using any spare hours to work as a motorcycle taxi rider. But it was his job as a messenger that took him to near the Erawan Shrine on Monday evening, as he was delivering a document to the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel when the explosion happened.
“I would say that he was the nicest guy I have ever met in my life,” said Kamon Wongprasarn, 38, a friend of Yutthanarong’s for 20 years. “He always cared about other people and helped everyone without even being asked.”
Between his two jobs on a motorcycle and occasional work in a car body repair shop, Yutthanarong would earn about 1,500 baht a day.
With this he supported his 11-year-old daughter, who lives with his ex-wife in Bangkok, his 13-year-old son, who requires medical care, and was saving to buy a dream house in Saraburi for a life with fiancee Kritsuda Narongplien.
Yutthanarong was part of the group of 40 friends called Bang Na Lanla, who travel across Thailand and make donations along the way. At the end of the year, the group was planning a holiday at Wang Nam Khieo in Nakhon Ratchasima.
One member of the group, Preecha Yoovichit, remembered Yutthanarong’s generosity and love of family, especially his girlfriend.
After the funeral at Wat Bang Na Nok, however, Mr Preecha said the group was worried most for his children, especially his sick son.
“I would like someone in the private sector or government to offer help for these kids for their medical bills and schooling,” he said, adding the group thought of them like family. “Now they have no father to support them any more. I want our niece and nephew to continue having a good life.”
Yutthanarong’s brother, Pakkapon Singlor, 44, lives nearby on Sukhumvit Road. As hard as Yutthanarong worked, he would always find time to see his brother. Mr Pakkapon said his brother’s death had left him feeling numb.
“He was a very good man. He stopped by to see me every single day after work. He worked very hard and he always took good care of everyone around him. I will miss him a lot,” Mr Pakkapon explained.
Yutthanarong’s other motivation for working hard was Ms Kritsuda, who he planned to marry. They planned to move to Saraburi next year after he had saved enough money.
Ms Kritsuda nearly went to see Yutthanarong near the Erawan Shrine on Monday night, but the last phone call they shared stopped her.
“We were just on the phone. I told him that I would go see him around the Ratchaprasong area, but he told me to stay at home since he was on his way. Those were the last words I heard from him,” Ms Kritsuda said.
Ms Kritsuda was not watching the news, so when she was unable to reach him on the phone after 7pm she thought he was stuck in traffic. It was only when friends told her to watch the news about the explosion that she started to panic.
She endured a sleepless night waiting at home while her brother went to the Police General Hospital to find out what he could about Yutthanarong. At 4am, he brother called but only told her what she wanted to hear.
“I found him. He is in the hospital. He is OK, I will pick you up soon,” her brother told her.
When her brother arrived at 5.30am, he finally told Ms Kritsuda the truth. “He didn’t make it. Let’s go pick up his body,” her brother told her.
Ms Kritsuda broke down, crying and screaming. Once she had collected herself, they went to the hospital to identify Yutthanarong’s body, what she called the most terrible experience of her life.
“I could barely recognise him. The right half of his body was opened, but I could see the man I love from the half that was left,” Ms Kritsuda said in tears.
Every day since Yutthanarong’s death, Ms Kritsuda has prayed for him. Her greatest wish is to see him again, even if only in her dreams.
“I want to tell him that he can now rest in peace. He doesn’t have to work hard any more. I will stay strong and get through this difficult time.”
Ms Kritsuda has even planned what she will say when she sees him again in her dreams. “No matter where you are, I will always love you.”