Parents of British boy beaten to death in ‘honeytrap murder’ break down in tears and say they are suffering ‘pain beyond description’ as he is laid to rest in Thailand
- Woramet Ben Taota, 16, was lured to his death in Lampang, Thailand on May 6
- His father Steven Graham angrily confronted the murderer last week
A British boy beaten to death by a ruthless drug dealer in Thailand in a honey trap was laid to rest today, in a moving Buddhist ceremony.
Woramet Ben Taota, 16, had been lured to his death by a glamorous teenage friend who had come under the spell of Chaitwat ‘Wat’ Boogarin, a convicted child-sex offender.
His father, Steven Graham, angrily confronted the murderer last week as police staged a reconstruction of the brutal killing in the jungle outside Lampang, in the north of the country last week.
He screamed: ‘Look me in the eyes, you b*****d!’
Today the successful business from East Sussex, and Ben’s Thai mother Ooy, broke down in tears as they led mourners at a traditional Buddhist cremation in the lush countryside where he grew up.
A British boy beaten to death by a ruthless drug dealer in Thailand in a honey trap was laid to rest today, in a moving Buddhist ceremony. Pictured: Father Steven Graham (second-right) holds hands with Ben’s mother Ooy (seen squatting down and being comforted), who broke down in tears during the funeral for her son Woramet Ben Taota
Pictured: Steven Graham, whose son Woramet Ben Taota was killed on May 6, is seen with his hands on his head during the funeral for his son today
Pictured: The funeral procession for Woramet Ben Taota is seen being led by Buddhist monks in Lampang, Thailand today. Ben was killed by a Thai drug dealer on May 6
Woramet Ben Taota, 16, (pictured) was found in a grove in Lampang, Thailand on May 7, after being brutally murdered by a Thai drug dealer a day earlier
Dozens of mourners joined Ben’s devastated parents to pay their respects to the popular 16-year-old in an emotional funeral procession through the rural village of Banjua, near Lampang.
READ MORE: ‘Ruthless Thai drug dealer lured my boy to his death in honeytrap murder’: British father who confronted 16-year-old son’s alleged killer speaks of agony
Dressed all in back, Steven appeared lost in his grief as he walked alone surrounded by friends and family on the heart-breaking two-mile march to the temple.
Ben’s mother Ooy walked at the front of the cortege, surrounded by her sisters, who had been like second mothers to the cherished boy.
The youngster’s remains were carried in a brightly-coloured Thai funeral carriage, some 25 ft tall.
Ben’s friends from the Sop Prop Motorcycle Club led the way, revving the engines of the motocross bikes that the young Briton loved to ride in the surrounding countryside.
Storm clouds gathered around the Buddhist temple as the mourners reached their destination.
In the days following Ben’s death Steve and Ooy have received hundreds of well-wishers at their country home, that offers views to jungle covered mountains and is surrounded by paddy fields.
Buddhists monks had lead prayers for the past two night, chanting for up to an hour, in karmic rhythm.
MailOnline were invited to attend the funeral and record the huge esteem he and his family are held in the village of Banjua, where the drew up.
Struggling to hold in his emotions, Steve said: ‘There’s a part of me that hates all of this. But in another way it helping me with my grief.
‘All this is causing me is immense pain. I can’t eat and I can barely sleep. It’s pain beyond description.’
Ben’s heart-broken girlfriend Tansiri Inchoy, known as ‘Yam’, broke down in tears just before the funeral cortege set off.
Ben’s friends from the Sop Prop Motorcycle Club (pictured today) led the funeral procession, revving the engines of the motocross bikes that the young Briton loved to ride in the surrounding countryside
Pictured: Ben’s parents Steven Graham (right) and Ooy (left) are seen during the funeral for their son In Lampang, Thailand today
Pictured: Ben’s father Steven Graham is seen during the funeral for his son today
Pictured: Ben’s mother Ooy breaks down in tears during the funeral for her son today
Pictured: Ben’s girlfriend Tasiri Inchoy, know as Yam, is seen being comforted by Ben’s father Steven during his funeral in Thailand today
Pictured: Ben’s father Steven and mother Ooy are seen during the funeral for their son
Pictured: Ben’s father Steven and mother Ooy are seen during the funeral for their son
His coffin was place at the cremation site amid lush trees and surrounded by paddy fields, before a short Buddhist ceremony with monks chanting and prayers left the mourners in silence.
READ MORE: Body of 15-year-old girl accused of luring British boy to his death in Thailand is found in woods
Mum Ooy and dad Steve broke down in tears as they said goodbye to their beloved son for the last time. His devastated mother had to be lifted to her feet after green smoke rose from the chimney.
Ben was last seen riding a blue moped away from the village with friend Suraphitchava Khamsa, known as Pong, on the back, last Saturday (May 6) night.
His lifeless body was discovered the next day (May 7) in woods some three miles from by a rubbish collector who saw his legs sticking out of some woods.
Days later Pong, who had been missing, was also discovered murdered in the jungle.
Police believe she had lured Ben to death in a twisted honey trap after she became hooked on the powerful methamphetamine pills he was dealing.
The 15-year-old had suffered devastating head injuries and had been buried in a shallow grave close to the main north-south highway.
MailOnline travelled to Lampang to visit Ben’s devastated parents Steven and Ooy at the spacious home where Ben grew up and where the British businessman, who divides his time between the UK and Thailand, often visited.
Steve, 60, and Ooy, 50, spoke of the agony of losing their only child and the mystery surrounding his brutal death.
While 44-year-old Wat has confessed to murdering Ben, he denies having any part in Pong’s death, and Thai police continue to investigate.
Pictured: Ben’s parents Steven Graham and Ooy are seen being guided by other mourners during the traditional Buddhist funeral for their son In Lampang, Thailand
Pictured: Ben’s parents Steven Graham and Ooy are seen being guided down the stairs of the temple which hosted the funeral for their son in Lampang, Thailand today
Pictured: The funeral procession for Ben makes its way through Lampang, Thailand today
Pictured: People take part in the heart-breaking two-mile funeral march to the temple
Pictured: The coffin of murdered Ben is seen ahead of the funeral in Thailand today
Pictured: The coffin of murdered Ben is seen being loaded onto the Thai funeral carriage, some 25 ft tall
Steve, who runs a business insuring thatched-roof properties, told MailOnline: ‘Ben was lured to meet his killer in some kind of honey trap set by this young girl.
‘She was only 15. She and Ben had known each other since they were young. But she is believed to have been in a relationship with this man Wat.
‘He had recently been released from prison and it is clear he was a prolific drug dealer. A very evil man.’
Ooy added: ‘Ben was everything to me. I don’t know what I will do without him.’
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