Bangkok: Human remains were discovered beneath the floor of Wat That Thong temple in the Watthana district of Bangkok when workers found an unusual gap in the cement while repairing the temple floor. The site of the discovery was beneath the main chapel of the temple, raising questions about the origins of the remains.
According to Thai News Agency, officials were initially unable to inspect the site immediately due to the tightly sealed concrete surrounding the discovery area. After drilling through the concrete wall, they found a coffin containing human remains, arranged on an old tray similar to a traditional Thai serving tray, rather than wrapped in cloth. The remains are suspected to belong to a small-framed woman, though this has yet to be confirmed by forensic experts.
The investigation, led by Mr. Rung Wachawong, a volunteer from the Ruam Katanyu Foundation, suggests that the remains are unlikely related to a murder case. There is speculation that the skeletons might belong to ancestors or family members who were involved in the construction or patronage of the temple, serving as a memorial for future generations.
Officials plan to send the remains to the forensic department at Chulalongkorn Hospital to determine further details such as gender, age, and time of death. This examination will also look for any abnormalities potentially related to the cause of death. Should the examination reveal no abnormalities and no relatives come forward to claim the remains, police have indicated that the skeleton may be returned to Wat That Thong temple for funeral rites and religious ceremonies according to their traditions.