NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: A monk was found dead at the base of a long slope inside Tham Takfa cave in Phrom Khiri district of this southern province on Sunday.
The monk was visiting adjacent Wat Khao Khun Phanom, a hillside temple, to practice meditation in Tham Takfa cave, which is highly revered by people in Nakhon Si Thammarat and nearby provinces.
His body was found by other monks in the cave who heard a loud noise, like something something falling to the ground, and went to investigate.
Police and rescuers called to the scene had to climb a 230-step staircase to the mouth of the cave.
From the cave mouth, they had to descend a steep slope for about 50 metres before arriving at a large hall where the body of the monk was found lying face down on the cave floor.
He was identified as Phra Pattarapong Rattanasuwanwut, 33, a monk from a monastery in Nakhon Si Thammarat township. He had multiple fractures, believed suffered in a fall from a rock platform about 18 metres above. A flashlight, which was still switched on, was found in a strap bag near him.
Police were investigating the incident.