73 bodies discovered: Death cult in Thailand smashed

Pho Thale (Thailand) - Disturbing discovery in the Thai jungle. The mummified remains of 73 people have been discovered on the property of a sect.

Numerous police officers swarmed out to search the Temple of Death.
Numerous police officers swarmed out to search the Temple of Death.  © Screenshot: PBS Thailand

600 crocodiles, 73 mummies and bizarre artifacts. A bizarre death cult has taken up residence in a remote forest in central Thailand.

On Monday, numerous police officers swarmed out and searched the sect's extensive forest property in the province of Phichit, reported the Khaosod portal.

According to the police, 41 bodies were initially found in pavilions scattered around the property. They also found numerous ritual objects, apparently consisting of human remains. The sect also kept around 600 crocodiles, some in tiny cages.

The authorities have since confirmed that a further 32 bodies have been found, reported"Channel 7". This brings the death toll to 73.

Around a dozen cultists and their leader Phra Saifon Phandito, a Buddhist monk, were found in the forest temple. From what is known, the guru preached a strange mixture of meditation, Buddhist folk beliefs and probably also black magic.

Images: Horror cult kept crocodiles and hoarded corpses

The police are preparing for a difficult investigation.
The police are preparing for a difficult investigation.  © Screenshot: PBS Thailand
Sect leader Phra Saifon Pandito is said to have preached a crude mixture of meditation and black magic.
Sect leader Phra Saifon Pandito is said to have preached a crude mixture of meditation and black magic.  © Screenshot: PBS Thailand
Dozens of cultists were found in the estate.
Dozens of cultists were found in the estate.  © Screenshot: PBS Thailand
The sect is also said to have kept 600 crocodiles. It is unclear what the lizards were fed with.
The sect is also said to have kept 600 crocodiles. It is unclear what the lizards were fed with.  © Screenshot: PBS Thailand
The group hoarded occult objects. Some are said to have been made from human remains.
The group hoarded occult objects. Some are said to have been made from human remains.  © Screenshot: PBS Thailand

Temple of death in Thailand: Investigations continue

According to initial findings, the bodies show no signs of violence. According to the police, most of the bodies had been carefully embalmed and placed in sarcophagi.

The sect leader told the police that the dead had "consecrated" their bodies to the temple. Most of them were parents or relatives of his "disciples". He was able to show death certificates and documents relating to body donations - these are now being checked.

It is unclear how many people have joined the cult - according to information from Khaosod, it is likely to be several hundred. The illegal temple is to be shut down and the leader is still at large.

The Thai police are still investigating the matter.

The current case is reminiscent of the machinations of the "corpse abuser sect" surrounding the self-proclaimed healer Thawee Nanra, who was up to mischief in Thailand for years. The authorities put an end to his activities in 2022.