A GRUESOME theft occurred at a Chonburi cemetery with grave robbers stealing 12 skulls of homeless dead buried there with this being the second time some skulls have been stolen, Thai Rath newspaper said late last evening (Oct. 22).
At 6 p.m. yesterday Pol. Capt. Thawatchai Laphan, deputy investigation officer at Phanat Nikhom police station, was notified by Sawang Het Thung Hiang Rescue Unit that some body parts of homeless people buried at their cemetery next to a cassava plantation in this district had been stolen.
When a police team got there they found that 15cm thick concrete covers of 12 graves had been pried open and 12 skulls were missing. There were clear footprints on the grass.
Mr. Prawet Sawatsri, 39, a rescue worker and overall in charge, said he was informed by a resident that a car had parked at the cemetery so went to have a look but when he got there the car had gone.
He was then surprised to see that 12 graves had been opened and the skulls missing so informed the association’s committee.
He added that grave robbers had earlier on Sep. 24 opened graves of 15 unclaimed dead and stolen all the skulls taking the total to 27.
He is unsure of the motive for the crime but suspects the skulls are being used for occult ritual which is inappropriate.
Police took photos of the theft at the cemetery and are also checking video clips from surveillance cameras nearby in chasing the grave robbers.
CAPTION:
The cemetery where 12 skulls of homeless dead were stolen yesterday, Oct. 22, 2024. Photos: Thai Rath
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