Police in Saraburi are investigating the discovery of a young girl’s body abandoned in grass beside an irrigation canal road in Nong Don district, with officers indicating signs of murder. The body, believed to be that of a child aged between three and five, was found on 23 February 2026. Authorities have sent the remains for a detailed forensic examination.

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At 19:05 on 23 February 2026, Pol Lt Col Kamfon Uthaima, deputy inspector (investigation) at Nong Don Police Station, Saraburi province, received a report from a member of the public about a child’s body dumped near the Chai Nat–Pa Sak irrigation canal road in Moo 2, Ban Klap subdistrict, Nong Don district. Volunteers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation were notified and attended the scene. The location was described as a secluded stretch of road with overgrown grass and no nearby houses and no street lighting at night.

Approximately three metres from the roadside, officers found a purple cartoon-patterned bed sheet discarded in the grass. Down the embankment, they discovered the body of a girl lying face down in a decomposed state, with maggots present. She was dressed in long jeans, a pink jacket and blue socks, with a white towel found nearby. Her right arm was missing, which is believed to have been from animal activity.

Police estimated the child had been dead for about five days. Forensic officers from Saraburi province, together with a doctor from Nong Don Hospital, confirmed the body was that of a girl aged approximately three to five.

Mr Sitthichai Keerirat, 48, told police he had been travelling by motorcycle from Lopburi province to visit his brother in Ban Klap when he noticed a purple cloth by the roadside. After stopping to look down the embankment, he initially thought he saw a doll before realising it was a decomposing body emitting a strong odour. He then alerted Nong Don Police Station.

Police said there had been no missing persons reports filed in the Nong Don area. The Ruamkatanyu Foundation transported the body to the Institute of Forensic Science in Pathum Thani province for a detailed post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.

Amarin reported that investigations are ongoing as authorities seek to establish the circumstances surrounding the child’s death and identify her.

Picture courtesy of Amarin

Key Takeaways

• The body of a girl aged approximately three to five was found abandoned beside a canal road in Nong Don, Saraburi on 23 February 2026.

• Police estimate she had been dead for at least five days and noted signs of murder.

• The body has been sent to the Institute of Forensic Science in Pathum Thani for a detailed post-mortem examination.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 24 Feb 2026

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UPDATE

Reward Offered After Girl’s Body Found in Forest

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod

Police in Saraburi have offered a 10,000-baht reward for information identifying a young girl whose body was found in a forested area in Nong Don district. The child, believed to be around five years old, was discovered dead near a canal embankment road, with her right arm missing. Officers said the body had likely been there for about five days.

The body was found in dense woodland about three metres from the Chai Nat–Pa Sak irrigation canal road in Moo 2, Ban Klap subdistrict, Nong Don district, Saraburi province. The location is near the border with Lopburi province, approximately four kilometres away. There are no nearby homes and no street lighting in the area.

Police said no missing child report had been filed locally or at nearby stations and checks with schools had not yielded any information. The body was sent for post-mortem examination at the Institute of Forensic Science in Pathum Thani province.

On 24 February 2026, Pol Col Kraisorn Sriamphorn, superintendent of the Saraburi provincial investigation division, and Pol Col Sirimongkol Sukkaparamee, superintendent of Nong Don Police Station, held a meeting to review CCTV footage from the surrounding area and examine clothing details. Investigators resolved to offer a 10,000-baht reward for information identifying the child.

A local resident, Mr Non, who regularly travels the route to sell goods, said he felt sympathy for the child and believed the missing arm may have been caused by animals, noting the presence of large monitor lizards in the area near the river. He also suggested the person who abandoned the body could be a family member, given that about five days had passed without a missing person report.

Pol Col Sirimongkol said the case had not yet progressed and investigators were still reviewing CCTV footage and awaiting forensic results. He said the condition of the body made identification difficult and asked for time as officers continue their enquiries.

Key Takeaways

• A girl aged around five was found dead in woodland in Nong Don district, Saraburi, on 23 February 2026.

• Police have offered a 10,000-baht reward for information identifying the child, as no missing report has been filed.

• The body has been sent for forensic examination while officers review CCTV footage and continue investigations.

Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 24 Feb 2026

UPDATE

Post-mortem Suggests Girl Dead for a Month

Picture courtesy of Matichon

Police investigating the discovery of a young girl’s body in woodland in Nong Don district, Saraburi, now believe she may have been dead for around one month. The updated estimate follows discussions with the doctor who conducted the post-mortem examination. Earlier assessments had suggested the child had been deceased for at least five days.

According to investigators, the condition of the body, particularly the dryness of the back, indicates a longer period since death as the child was found lying face down. The advanced state of decomposition has made it difficult to determine the precise cause of death. Officers said it remains unclear whether the child had been physically assaulted.

Further details have emerged regarding the clothing found on the child. The socks she was wearing are typically used at children’s ball play centres. Police have identified nine such branches in Saraburi and nearby areas.

In Saraburi province, one branch is located at the ball play centre in Robinson Saraburi. Eight additional branches operate in neighbouring provinces. Investigators are examining whether the socks may help trace the child’s identity.

Authorities continue to suspect that the person responsible for the child’s death may have been her parents or caregiver. Officers noted that no missing child report has been filed, which they consider unusual if the parents or guardians were not involved.

Police stated that if a child goes missing, a report would normally be made at a police station or communicated to others. Given the publicity surrounding the case, investigators believe it would likely have prompted someone to come forward with information if the disappearance had been reported.

However, officers emphasised that conclusions cannot yet be drawn. They are awaiting full forensic confirmation before determining whether the child was the victim of a crime, as the severe decomposition has complicated the examination. The investigation remains ongoing, with police continuing to review evidence and pursue leads related to the child’s identity and movements prior to her death.

Key Takeaways

• A post-mortem now suggests the girl may have been dead for around one month.

• Socks worn by the child are linked to nine ball play centre branches in Saraburi and nearby provinces.

• Police suspect a caregiver may be involved but are awaiting full forensic confirmation.

Adapted by ASEAN Now Matichon 24 Feb 2026

This brings a tear to my eye and great sadness.

She died alone, it seems. When a child dies, it is a truly sad event. :(

Let's hope they find the reasons why & find those responsible.