A Buddhist monk has been fatally electrocuted while playing on his mobile phone while it was connected to a faulty charger.
Phra Rueang Yot, 49, was found dead in his hut at a temple in north eastern Thailand on Monday.
Police believe he may have lain dead for up to three days after claiming he was going to a nearby village to perform missionary work, while actually sneaking off to play on his phone while smoking and drinking coffee.
Coffee and cigarettes are typically prohibited to monks.
Officials at the temple launched a hunt for Phra after his fellow monks returned from doing good deeds in the village, and revealed he had not joined them.
They said they approached the hut and noticed a foul smell, before discovering the corpse inside.
Images shown in Thai media reveal Phra's body on his bed, next to an ashtray, a packet of cigarettes and empty coffee sachets.
His arms are held in the air as if still gripping his phone, while the device itself was found by his side.
Police Captian Adisak Boonchaiyo said the monk's death was caused by an electric shock from the charger cable.
Boonchaiyo said there were no signs of struggle or any stolen property from the room.
He added: 'The monk may have been fall asleep while using his mobile phone as it charged.
'Then somehow he was electrocuted and remained there for three nights before people found him.'
The monk's mother Tha Phusena, 73, said Ruengyot had been a Buddhist monk for around four years.
She believes his death was an accident and did not ask the police to investigate.
She said: 'It's unbearable that my son has already died. He was healthy and I have no suspicions about his death.'
Abbot Kittipanyakorn, one of Ruengyot's colleagues at the temple, said the dead monk was known for spending a lot of time on mobile phone.
Kittipanyakorn said: 'Ruengyot often talked about his broken charger and planned to buy a new one in the next few weeks.
'But he just did not have chance to buy one, then this tragic accident happened.
'This incident will be a lesson to everyone who uses their mobile phone while it is charging or people who have broken equipment.'
This article has been adapted from its original source.
