In a horrific recent event, a young Thai man on speed confessed to killing a 79-year-old neighbor and attempting to eat his liver on Saturday in rural Bueng Karn province. The alleged murderer said he believed that eating a human liver would extend his life.
Paere Jongthong, 24, was arrested shortly after locals in Dong Suang village witnessed him killing a man named Tan Loon-ubon at the man’s home. Tan was a respected senior in the community and Paere frequently visited him.
On Saturday, Paere said he took yaba (methamphetamine tablets) and smoked marijuana before going to Tan’s house as usual. But Paere claimed that he attacked Tan only after the old man said he murdered Paere’s father, Morning News reported.
“He told me he killed my dad. I said that couldn’t be true, but he wouldn’t stop talking about it. I didn’t know what to do,” Paere told police.
“I stabbed him, and he cried and apologized. I was so angry. I asked him four times if he was telling the truth,” he added.
The victim was found dead with a stab wound in his neck. His stomach was torn open. Police also collected a nine-inch-long kitchen knife found near his body.
But to the shock of police, they also found what was believed to be the victim’s liver in Paere’s pants pocket. An autopsy later confirmed that the organ was missing.
In an interogation video published by Morning News, police asked Paere if he meant to eat the the victim’s liver, he responded, “Yes, that’s right.”
The news report said that Paere was going to make spicy liver salad, because he believed eating a human liver would strengthen his health and extend his life.
He was charged with murder.
In the local media, Paere is widely referred to as the “Reborn Si Quey.” Si Quey was a Chinese immigrant in Thailand in the 1950s who was convicted of killing half a dozen children and eating their livers with the same belief, that it would make him stronger, or even immortal.
Si Quey was executed in 1958. His body was mummified and is on display at Siriraj Medical Museum in Bangkok.
