Skeleton Found Under 155-Year-Old Temple in Bangkok
Police identified skeletal remains found beneath a 155-year-old Bangkok temple as likely a wealthy female donor whose family buried her there following Buddhist tradition decades ago.
Police have identified the origin of a mysterious wooden coffin containing female remains discovered beneath the foundations of an ancient ordination hall at Wat Thatthong, a royal temple on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok. Investigators believe the deceased woman may have been a major donor who funded the construction of the hall; her descendants are suspected of burying her there after her death. On July 18, Lieutenant Colonel Chakrawut Don, an investigator from Klong Toei Police Station, responded to reports of skeletal remains found at the temple and led a team including forensic officers, a Chulalongkorn University medical examiner, and volunteers from a charitable foundation.
The 155-year-old Limpaphon ordination hall was undergoing restoration to raise its floor to three levels when workers encountered the coffin while jackhammering out the concrete foundation beneath the main altar. The deteriorated red wooden coffin contained female skeletal remains, preliminarily estimated to have been buried at least 50 years ago. The coffin also held a stainless steel tray and four 50-satang coins dated 2500 BE, which were collected as evidence.
When interviewed, Jetsada, a 21-year-old worker, explained that he discovered the red coffin while operating the hydraulic jacks used to lift the ordination hall and immediately notified authorities. Lieutenant Colonel Chakrawut stated that initial findings rule out murder, and the evidence suggests the deceased was likely a major donor to the temple who was buried beneath the main platform by her descendants in accordance with Buddhist tradition.
