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Queens soldier's parents get visas for funeral

BY LAURA RIVERA | laura.rivera@newsday.com

October 4, 2007

The parents of a Queens soldier who died in Iraq have obtained visas to travel from Thailand to attend the funeral of their son, Army Spc. Chirasak Vidhyarkorn.

Vidhyarkorn's aunt, Saipun Kunatee, said the couple was at a Thai airport Wednesday awaiting the next available flight to New York. Kunatee, of Bayside, said her nephew's funeral would be open to the public, though a date has not yet been set.

Vidhyarkorn, 32, died of non-combat-related injuries Saturday in Diwanihay, according to the Department of Defense. The circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation.

The fallen soldier was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery Brigade based in Ozark, Ark., according to a public affairs officer for the Arkansas National Guard.

Outside Kunatee's house, where Vidhyarkorn lived, yellow and black ribbons hung from a tree and a lamppost, and his white Ford Explorer was parked in front of the yard.

Neighbors described Vidhyarkorn as a courteous man who helped his family with chores like shoveling snow.

Joe Deleon, 39, a retired New York Police Department officer who lives across the street from Kunatee, said Vidhyarkorn was "a quiet kid" who had been taking courses at a nearby school.