Kalasin — The atmosphere at the funeral of "Hlun Solo," the celebrated backpacker YouTuber, was warm and heartfelt on its final night. Officials and villagers joined hands to prepare the grounds at Wat Rangsichatchawan, setting up more than 2,000 chairs to accommodate fans from across the country who will come to pay their last respects at tomorrow's cremation ceremony. The economy of Somdet district has also come alive across the board — wreath orders have flooded in to the point that fresh flowers have run short in the market, while hotels and restaurants are packed.
Today (10 Aug.), a reporter described the atmosphere of the merit-making funeral rites for "Hlun Solo," real name Boworntat Pengsuk, the well-known travel YouTuber and internet favourite, at house number 340, Ban Sii Yaek, Moo 10, Tambon Somdet, Amphoe Somdet, Kalasin Province. The proceedings had reached the third — and final — night of the Buddhist scripture-chanting ceremony. The atmosphere was filled with warmth and crowded with neighbours, fans, and fellow YouTubers who continuously streamed in to express their condolences and offer encouragement to his grandmother and family.
At the same time, fans from every direction also sent their support in the form of food ingredients — including rice, glutinous rice, pork, chicken, fish, and fermented fish sauce — donating them to the family for use in feeding those attending the funeral.
For the final night's scripture-chanting ceremony at 6:00 p.m., Suwatthan Khemthanaphet, Governor of Kalasin Province, along with deputy governors and the heads of all government departments, came to serve as hosts and to offer encouragement to the bereaved family.
Temple prepares venue to receive thousands of fans for tomorrow's send-off
At Wat Rangsichatchawan, Moo 4, Tambon Somdet, Amphoe Somdet, Kalasin Province — the site of tomorrow's (11 Aug.) cremation ceremony — local administrators, Somdet Subdistrict Municipality officials, volunteers, emergency responders, and villagers all worked together to erect tents, prepare the grounds, and set out more than 2,000 chairs to accommodate the crowds who will come to pay their respects.
The area surrounding the crematorium was beautifully decorated with flowers, the result of cooperation among villagers and volunteers who brought their own materials and decorated the venue free of charge. In addition, officers from Somdet Police Station drew up an event layout and deployed personnel to strictly manage traffic and security. Tomorrow, the Governor of Kalasin Province will personally preside over the cremation ceremony.
"Hlun" fever revives Somdet district's economy — wreaths and accommodation fully booked
The passing of the famous YouTuber has visibly energised the local economy of Somdet district. Restaurants, hotels, and resorts have been snapped up and filled with fans travelling in from other provinces.
Meanwhile, wreath businesses in the area have been working through the night to keep up with orders. Miss Oraphan Thippramuan, 33, owner of a wreath shop in Amphoe Somdet, revealed that from the moment news of the death broke and word spread that the body would be brought home for the funeral in his birthplace, fans both inside and outside the country had contacted her to order wreaths in such large numbers — many times more than usual — that fresh flowers in the market have begun to run short.
Beyond fresh-flower wreaths, electric fan wreaths and wall-clock wreaths have also proven highly popular, as fans want the temple to be able to put them to practical use. The shop has continued to sell at its normal starting price of 800 baht, but has put extra care into making each wreath especially beautiful, as a way of making merit and paying final respects to "Hlun Solo."
