Over 300 dead fetuses found in Thai Buddhist temple

[News_Editor]

Over 300 dead fetuses found in Thai Buddhist temple

2010-11-16 21:09:07 GMT+7 (ICT)

BANGKOK, THAILAND (BNO NEWS) -- Nearly 350 dead fetuses have been found in plastic bags inside the morgue of the Buddhist temple Wat Phai Ngern in Bangkok, local authorities said on Tuesday.

Local authorities were initially notified at around 2 p.m. local time on Tuesday and took temple undertaker Suthep Cha-bangbon into custody. He later admitted to have been hired by five abortion clinics to dispose the fetuses.

Abortion is illegal in Thailand with the exception of special medical cases in which the mother is facing health issues during the pregnancy or in rape cases.

After Suthep's arrest, he had claimed to have discovered the fetuses and alerted local authorities. After questioning at the Wat Phayakrai police station, however, he eventually confessed to his doings.

The fetuses were found wrapped in plastic bags of various colors and newspapers, Pol Lt Thananuwat Sitthichai, an investigator at Wat Phrayakrai police station, confirmed, adding that forensic police were continuing the investigation at the scene.

The wrapped fetuses were being hidden in one of the temporary body storage areas of the temple for pending cremation. In Thailand, Buddhist temples commonly perform cremation ceremonies, but also store bodies in special storage areas that are usually refrigerated.

As of late Tuesday, authorities said 348 dead fetuses have been recovered at the temple. However, authorities believe there are more fetuses that will be recovered on Wednesday.

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