Villagers in Thailand were left shocked after discovering the body of a monk floating face down in a canal behind a temple in Na Kha subdistrict, Mueang district, Udon Thani province.
The grim discovery was made at around 3pm on May 7 after a villager initially mistook the floating object for a coconut while checking fishing nets nearby.
Police from Na Kha Police Station and rescue workers later arrived at the scene following an emergency report.
Authorities identified the deceased monk as Phra Thong, 48, who had been residing at the temple. His body was reportedly beginning to decompose when it was recovered from the water.
Preliminary examinations found no signs of assault or external injuries, with officials estimating that the monk had died about one day earlier.
Investigators also discovered footprints in nearby rice fields leading from the monk’s living quarters towards the canal, suggesting he may have walked there before the incident.
A villager identified only as Mr Noi, who first spotted the body, said he initially believed he had seen a coconut floating in the canal before realising it was a human body.
He immediately alerted the village headman, who then contacted police.
According to villagers and relatives, the monk had a history of mental illness and would occasionally wander away from the temple or disappear for periods of time.
The village headman, who is also related to the deceased, said the monk had repeatedly ordained and disrobed over the years while undergoing treatment for mental health issues.
Relatives said his condition had recently worsened after he allegedly stopped taking prescribed medication, causing episodes of forgetfulness and disorientation.
They also revealed that the monk had previously been involved in a car accident in Sakon Nakhon province several months ago and had since frequently attempted to travel back there.
Family members said they did not suspect foul play and believed the monk may have accidentally fallen into the canal.
The body was later handed over to relatives for funeral arrangements according to Buddhist rites.
