Bodies of 4 Malaysian Bangkok blast victims arrive in Penang

The bodies of four Malaysians killed in Monday's bomb blast in Bangkok arrived in Penang late on Wednesday (Aug 19) night.

The bodies of Lim Siew Gaik, 49; son-in-law Lee Tze Siang, 33; son, Neoh Jai Jun, 20; and four-year-old granddaughter Lee Jing Xuan were brought from Bangkok on a Thai Airways aircraft which arrived at 11pm. 

Seen accompanying the bodies was Ms Lim's daughter, Neoh Yee Ling, 33, who was unscathed in the blast. About 20 family members were on hand to receive the caskets. Members of the media failed to interview them as they hurriedly departed in their vehicles.

Ms Lim’s husband, Neoh Hock Guan, 55, who was also unharmed in the incident returned to Penang Wednesday afternoon. 

There was a gloomy atmosphere when the remains of Ms Lim and her son were brought into the family home and her grief-stricken mother, Tan Kim Kee, 71, sobbed upon seeing their coffins. 

Ms Lim's son Neoh Kah Loon, 26, her daughter Neoh Huey Shinn, 31 and husband Hock Guan who survived the bomb explosion later joined in the funeral prayers.

The five Malaysians killed in the bomb explosion, including Lim Su See, 52, who is the elder sister of Ms Lim, were among seven family members who were on a holiday in Bangkok since last Saturday and were scheduled to return to Malaysia on Tuesday. The remains of Su See is expected to arrive in Penang tonight.

The attack occurred on Monday evening as worshippers and tourists crowded into the Erawan shrine in the Thai capital's commercial heart, shredding bodies and incinerating motorcycles.

At least 11 foreigners were killed, with visitors from Britain, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia among the victims. Another 68 people remained in hospital, 12 of whom were in critical condition.