A monk at a local temple in Khon Kaen's Mancha Khiri's district has been charged with the rape and murder of a 6-year-old boy and with concealing the body, police say.
Pol Col Bunjong Sirisut, superintendent of Mancha Khiri police, said Tuesday that after an intensive interview that lasted for hours, Phra Klam, 36, of Sawangkonkaram temple, told an investigator he raped and killed the boy, and hid the victim's body under a tree near the monk's living quarters.
Subin Teanthip, the victim's uncle, had accused Phra Klam of killing the boy, whose body was found just 50 metres away from the living quarters.
The boy was found face down on Monday morning under a tamarind tree with his body covered by a pile of sticks and leaves.
There was blood coming from the victim's mouth, nose and ears, and he had sexual injuries which suggested he had been raped.
Pol Col Bunjong said investigators have forensic evidence and a medical examination report establishing strong links between the suspect and the crime scene.
A team of investigators had inspected the crime scene and interviewed more than 15 eyewitnesses. Mr Subin said his nephew was last seen playing with friends on a playground at the temple before a monk asked the boy to go to his quarters.
Mr Subin and his neighbours had searched for the boy on Sunday night and found him dead on Monday morning.
The suspect's body showed evidence of a physical struggle including scratches, police said.
During the interview, Phra Klam implicated a 15-year-old friend in the rape and murder, an investigator said.