Human skeleton found on Khon Kaen mountain as police seek identity

Khon Kaen — On 12 August, the discovery of a human skeleton on Phu Pha Daeng mountain in Manjakiri district, Khon Kaen province, has prompted local police to search for the deceased's relatives. The remains were uncovered by villagers collecting forest products in the Ban Khok Sung area of Nangam subdistrict around 17:00 that day.

Commanding the investigation is Pol Col Theerathat Phongsuwan, the superintendent of Manjakiri Police Station, who was joined by forensic experts, rescue personnel, and a physician from Manjakiri Hospital.

Upon arrival, authorities found scattered remains across the ground and within rock crevices. The remains included numerous bone fragments, such as a skull, a portion of scalp with hair, a lower jaw with hair, arm and leg bones, and portions of the spine. A pelvis has not yet been located. Nearby, a brown blanket featuring a bear cartoon pattern and clothing believed to be the deceased's were found, including a black shirt with the phrase "DRIVE" printed in bold English letters across the chest. Notably, no trousers, skirt, or footwear were present.

The police are yet to establish the identity, gender or age of the individual. To aid in their investigation, investigators interviewed the villagers who had been gathering forest products in the vicinity. One villager named Tao claimed to have observed a young man with golden-highlighted hair, reminiscent of the hair found with the remains.

Tao estimated the man to be between 20 to 30 years old, though he was unaware of the individual's name. He claimed the stranger was from Kaeng Khro district in neighboring Chaiyaphum province and had been seen in the area about a year ago.

While this account aligns with the small size of the lower jaw discovered at the scene, which appears to belong to a young adult, confirmation of this information remains pending. All skeletal remains recovered from the scene have been collected and transported to Srinagarind Hospital for forensic analysis and identification. Manjakiri police are urging anyone with information about a missing person matching the described individual to contact either Manjakiri Police Station or Manjakiri Hospital, with the aim of returning the remains to the family for a proper funeral.