Fowl play suspected: Chicken deaths ruffle feathers in Buriram

A perplexing incident involving the mysterious death of chickens has captured the attention of locals in Buriram province. The chickens, belonging to Jareum and Kaeo Dathong, died on a Buddhist holy day, raising suspicions among the community.

The couple, who live in Pak Chong village, Nong Waeng subdistrict, Lahan Sai district, discovered 12 of their chickens dead overnight. The fowls were kept in a coop near a sugarcane forest on the eastern side of the village.

Each bird bore signs of having been bitten around the neck, as though their blood had been drained. Some had their heads severed, while others had their entrails removed. Additionally, four chickens are still missing.

Initial investigations revealed no traces of predators, leading the couple and villagers to speculate that the mysterious deaths might be the act of supernatural entities like the Krasue or Phi Pob as some locals reported seeing glowing lights hovering above the trees in the area.

This incident is not the first of its kind. Previously, three chickens died under similar circumstances, with each occurrence coinciding with a Buddhist holy day.

In the latest incident, yesterday, November 17, Suriyah Kawongklang, a veterinarian and head of animal health development at the Buriram Provincial Livestock Office, along with officials from Lahan Sai district and village leaders, visited the scene to investigate the cause of death.

They examined the chicken coop and scrutinised photographs of the dead chickens. Their findings suggest that the deaths are likely the work of a mongoose, a carnivorous animal known for biting at the head and consuming only the internal organs. Alternatively, it could be a civet, which exhibits similar predatory behaviour.

The belief in supernatural causes remains strong among villagers, despite the presence of more rational explanations. For some, like 64 year old Wan, who lives next to Jareum, the belief in spirits like the Phi Pob is unshakeable.

Wan recounted seeing mysterious lights resembling lanterns floating at chest height and disappearing into the forest two to three days before the chickens died, coinciding with the Buddhist holy day, reported KhaoSod.