CHON BURI: The body of a man of unknown nationality was found engulfed in flames beside the crematorium stairs at a temple in Pattaya's Bang Lamung district shortly before dawn on Thursday.
It was discovered by the temple caretaker, Sawasdee Thongkrim, 62, who quickly informed the abbot and called police.
Rescue workers used chemicals to extinguish the flames. The body was burned beyond recognition.
Some partly burned items were found near the body -- lottery tickets, a mobile phone, a bottle of yellow herbal oil and a patient card for a man of 60 years.
Mr Sawasdee said all four gates at the temple were closed at 9pm every day to keep out vagabonds. Three were re-opened at 5am.
He was doing his morning rounds, and as he drew near the crematorium he noticed the flames and then realised it was a fiercely burning body.
The temple's security camera recording showed a solidly built elderly man walking inside the grounds at 5.10am. He was wearing a white T-shirt and white shorts and holding what appeared to be a gallon container, police said. There were no other images of him.
Police believed it was suicide, but the exact cause of death would be determined by autopsy..
(Footage obtained by Chaiyot Pupattanapong)
(Photo by Chaiyot Pupattanapong)