A British boy who was beaten to death by a drug dealer in Thailand was buried in a moving Buddhist ceremony today.
Woramet Ben Taota, 16, was lured to his death by a friend who had fallen under the spell of Chaitwat Boogarin, a convicted child abuse offender.
His father, Steven Graham, furiously confronted the killer last week as police staged a reconstruction of the brutal murder in the jungle outside of Lampang in the north of the country.
He yelled, “Look me in the eye, you ass!”
Today, the successful East Sussex company and Ben’s Thai mother Ooy broke down in tears as they led mourners to a traditional Buddhist cremation in the lush countryside where he grew up.
A British boy who was beaten to death by a drug dealer in a honey trap murder in Thailand was buried in a moving Buddhist ceremony today. Pictured: The boy’s father Steven Graham (second right) holds hands with Ben’s mother Ooy (seen crouching down and being comforted) who broke down in tears during the funeral
Steven Graham, whose son Woramet Ben Taota was killed on May 6, is seen with his hands on his head at his son’s funeral today
The funeral procession for Woramet Ben Taota will be led by Buddhist monks in Lampang, Thailand today
16-year-old Woramet Ben Taota was found in a grove in Lampang, Thailand, on May 7 after being brutally murdered by a drug dealer a day earlier
Dozens of mourners joined Ben’s distraught parents to pay their respects to the popular 16-year-old in an emotional procession through the rural village of Banjua, near Lampang.
Dressed all in black, Steven seemed lost in his grief as he walked the two-mile trek to the temple alone, surrounded by friends and family.
Ben’s mother, Ooy, led the funeral procession, surrounded by her sisters.
The youth’s remains were transported in a colorful Thai hearse about 25 feet high.
Ben’s friends from the Sop Prop Motorcycle Club led the way, revving up the motocross bikes he 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, Steven and Ooy received hundreds of well-wishers at their country home, which overlooks jungle-capped mountains and is surrounded by rice fields.
Buddhist monks led prayers for two nights and chanted to the karmic rhythm for up to an hour.
MailOnline was invited to attend the funeral and capture the great appreciation shown to him and his family in the village of Banjua where the funeral took place.
Struggling to contain his emotions, Steve said, “Part of me hates all of this.” But in other ways, it’s helping me deal with my grief.
“All of this causes me enormous pain.” I can’t eat and hardly sleep. It’s an indescribable pain.’
Ben’s heartbroken friend Tansiri Incoy, known as “Yam,” broke down in tears just before the funeral procession left.
Ben’s friends from the Sop Prop Motorcycle Club (pictured today) led the funeral procession and revved up the motocross bikes that the young Brit loved to ride in the surrounding countryside
Pictured: Ben’s parents Steven Graham (right) and Ooy (left) are seen during their son’s funeral in Lampang, Thailand today
Pictured: Ben’s father Steven Graham is seen during his son’s funeral today
Pictured: Ben’s mum Ooy breaks down in tears during her son’s funeral today
Pictured: Ben’s girlfriend Tasiri Incoy, known as Yam, is comforted by Ben’s father Steven during his funeral in Thailand today
Pictured: Ben’s father Steven and mother Ooy are seen during their son’s funeral
Pictured: Ben’s father Steven and mother Ooy are seen during their son’s funeral
His coffin was placed at the cremation site amidst lush trees and surrounded by rice fields before a brief Buddhist ceremony of monks’ chants and prayers silenced the mourners.
Mom Ooy and dad Steve broke down in tears as they said their last goodbye to their beloved son. His distraught mother had to be helped to her feet after green smoke billowed from the chimney.
Ben was last seen last Saturday night (May 6th) driving away from the village on a blue moped with his friend Suraphitchava Khamsa, known as Pong.
His lifeless body was discovered the next day (May 7) in a forest about five kilometers away by a garbage collector who saw his legs sticking out of a forest.
Days later, the missing Pong was also found murdered in the jungle.
Police believe she baited Ben to death in a twisted honey trap after becoming addicted to the powerful methamphetamine pills he was dealing.
The 15-year-old had suffered devastating head injuries and was buried in a shallow grave near the main north-south thoroughfare.
MailOnline traveled to Lampang to visit Ben’s distraught parents Steven and Ooy at the spacious home where Ben grew up and which the British businessman, who divides his time between the UK and Thailand, often visited.
Steve, 60, and Ooy, 50, spoke about the agony of losing their only child and the mystery surrounding his brutal death.
Wat, 44, has admitted to killing Ben but denies having a hand in Pong’s death and Thai police are still investigating.
Pictured: Ben’s parents Steven Graham and Ooy are joined by other mourners during their son’s traditional Buddhist funeral in Lampang, Thailand
Pictured: Ben’s parents Steven Graham and Ooy are led down the steps of the temple where their son’s funeral was held in Lampang, Thailand today
Pictured: The funeral procession for Ben passes through Lampang, Thailand today
Pictured: People take part in the heartbreaking 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 the murdered Ben is loaded onto the Thai hearse, which is about 25 feet high
Steve, who runs a company that insures thatched roof properties, told MailOnline: “Ben was lured to his killer in some sort of honey trap set by this young girl.”
“She was only 15. She and Ben have known each other since they were teenagers. However, it is believed that she had 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 bad man.’
Ooy added, “Ben was everything to me. I don’t know what I’ll do without him.”
