Volunteer firefighter, Kornsith Laophan, 18, was killed in the July 5 explosion at the Ming Dih Chemical factory in Samut Prakan.
The fire, which damaged more than 70 houses, 15 vehicles and injured 29 people, was not the first time a volunteer firefighter died in the line of duty. When dedicated firefighters die, they are honoured and called heroes in the media. But such honours provide little comfort to firefighters left grieving for their fallen comrade. Chief Pongsapat Katakunvisith of the Somdet Chaopraya Emergency Rescue Unit has often said that firefighters and rescue volunteers do not seek to be heroes but they just want to do their job and would rather come home with every member of their unit alive and well.
Firefighters and rescue volunteers are devoted people who risk their lives in spite of no payment. They lack support and often proper…
