Bangkok man sacrifices wife to obscure goddess

A man who killed his wife "as a sacrifice to God" and then bragged about to co-workers is under arrest in suburban Bangkok.

Jessada Chamitra, 44, told his co-workers that he had killed his wife in his room as a sacrifice to deities, apparently Hindu or Buddhist.

They weren't certain whether to believe him, so went to his apartment in the province of Samut Prakan, adjoining Bangkok, to check. His shocked colleagues found the body of Pongjit Chamitra, his wife. The details of the body have not been released.

When police arrested Jessada at work, he was calm and admitted immediately to the killing, telling officers he had sacrificed his wife to "Thep Mekharat Goddess", an entity unknown either to police of Jessada's co-workers.

As usual, police had a re-enactment of the crime, during which Jessada was completely calm, although most of the time he appeared inattentive to police questions and instructions.

After his formal arrest, police took him to court and suggested psychiatric evaluation while awaiting trial.

According to police, Jessada's relatives told them the accused killer was well read on Hindu and Buddhist gods and goddesses, and was particularly obsessed with the Thep Mekharat Goddess, who could bring peace and harmony to the world when appeased.

He also had occasionally told relatives he was possessed by gods, and sometimes insisted that the gods needed blood sacrifices.

Most Thais are Buddhists, a religion with many beliefs and sects. While pure Buddhism neither has nor recognizes gods or goddesses, it allows such beliefs by individuals.

Police, however, believe Jessada probably has mental issues and have recommended close examination.