The hospital that performed the autopsy on Si Quey, one of Thailand's most infamous serial killers who ate some of his victims' organs and was put to death over 60 years ago, will reveal its findings for the first time.
The Siriraj Hospital management team announced the decision yesterday.
"We are going to inform the public about what we learned from studying Si Quey's cadaver," said Dr Naris Kitnarong, deputy dean of the hospital's Faculty of Medicine. "We've never released such information before."
The news comes in the wake of an online petition demanding the facility release Si Quey's body, preserved now for decades, and allow the mass murderer a funeral to "protect his dignity". Dr Naris refrained from commenting on whether the alleged cannibal's corpse would be released.
Si Quey's body has been preserved in the hospital's museum, where it ranks among the top attractions, since he was executed by firing squad in 1958.
Si Quey was accused of murdering seven children, removing their organs, boiling them and eating them. The murders took place in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom and Rayong. Many believe he was a scapegoat for the offences.
He was arrested in Rayong in 1958, reportedly in possession of the body of a boy, together with an extracted heart and liver.
He confessed to the murder but denied charges of cannibalism.
He has since entered Thai folklore as a bogeyman, his name invoked by parents warning their children to behave or "Si Quey may come for you". Numerous movies and TV shows have been made about him.
His enshrinement as a macabre cultural icon has won him legions of fans.
The latest campaign to secure him an official funeral was launched over a year ago by netizen Faroh Chakapatranon, who submitted the petition seeking the body's release. The petition had attracted 10,925 signatures by early this week.