A man has been found dead in the forest in Thap Lan National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima and is believed to have become lost and starved to death.
A park official reported the discovery on Tuesday, Pol Col Thuengporn Panthong, chief of Soeng Sang district police, said on Wednesday.
Police and a rescue crew sent to retrieve the body had to travel by park vehicle more than 10 kilometres into the forest, and then walk for another 2km. It took them six hours to bring the body from the forest.
There were no signs of violence at the scene, only some clothes, a cooking pot and a fishing rod, Thai media reported.
Park ranger Yuenyong Yongkrathok said his team were on a 5-day patrol and stopped for a rest at a waterhole.
As they approached he saw the body of a man wearing a purple T-shirt and black shorts lying still on the ground, as if he were sleeping. They took a closer look and discovered the man was dead. He was about 155cm tall and aged 40-50 years.
The park ranger said there was a strong odour coming from the body, which was starting to dry out.
He called the national park chief, who reported the death to police.
Police said the man had yet to be identified, but it was possible he had been lost in the forest and starved to death.
Pol Col Thuengporn said he had contacted local leaders, asking they check whether anyone was missing.
The Soeng Sang police chief said national park workers reported having seen someone like the dead man about one month ago. He appeared to have mental problems, often begged for food and walked alone in the forest, Matichon Online reported.
An initial examination of the body concluded the man been dead about 72 hours, Pol Col Thuengporn said.