UDON THANI -- Fifteen piles of what are believed to be human bones have been found in a forest in Ban Phue district.
Daily News Online reported Thursday that the remains were found at the foot of a mountain near Ban Khon Bon Wiang Chai village in tambon Nong Waeng.
The bones in eight of the 15 piles were each a nearly complete human skeleton, while those in the other seven were varied and incomplete.
Also found at the scene were scraps of burned auto tyres and petrol bottles, suggesting the bones were of humans burned with a tyre while in a sitting position.
Pol Lt Col Boonlert Jaipradit, chief of the Region 4 Provincial Police, led his deputy and officers to investigate Thursday morning. Udon Thani governor Chayawut Chanthorn confirmed the find on Facebook.
The bones were found only after bushes covering them were razed by a wildfire.
The governor said the bones were discovered two days ago about 300 metres from the Ban Phue-Kut Chap Road by reporters from Channel 9 who were in the area working on two other crime stories.
Mr Chayawut said provincial police had launched an investigation into the grisly find, speculating that a number Udon Thani officials could be involved.
"I would like to assure the people of Udon Thani that I, the regional police chief, and commander of the 24th Army Circle will closely work together to bring the culprits in this case to justice," the governor wrote.