In a temple surrounded by fields and forests in the rural area of central Uthai Thani province 300 kilometers from Bangkok, coffins holding the remains of 23 bus fire victims lined up as relatives gathered to mourn on Thursday. 

Among them was the grandmother of Tle, a 6-year-old girl who would have turned seven in just a few weeks. Tle was one of the 20 primary school students who were trapped and killed in the fire that engulfed a coach bus on the outskirts of Bangkok on Tuesday. 

25 feared dead in school bus fire in Thailand

Sixty-nine year old Tael Narach recounted the tragic day as she was doing the dishes, she got a phone call from her son-in-law, Tle's father, that changed her life forever.

"He said, 'mom, have you seen the news yet? The tour bus that your grandchild caught fire; it’s engulfed in flames," Tael said with a shaky voice.

"I fainted right away," she added.

Tael and her husband raised Tle in Uthai Thani along with another grandchild while their parents work in Bangkok.

At first, Tael didn't want her to go on the trip, but her parents encouraged them, saying it would be good for her to 'see more of the world.'

At least 23 people died in Thailand when a school bus carrying over 40 students and teachers on a field trip caught fire on the outskirts of Bangkok on Tuesday.

Buddhist prayers were scheduled to begin Thursday (October 3) evening and continue for five days, followed by a royal cremation ceremony.

Thai police later charged the driver with four offenses, including reckless driving causing death, while the bus and other related matters are still under investigation.

"I want justice and support (to get justice) for my grandchild," Tael told Reuters.

(Production: Artorn Pookasook, Napat Wesshasartar)