Police found 12 corpses allegedly being used for black magic rituals at a horror cult retreat in Thailand.

Shocked officers raided the twisted encampment yesterday following reports that devotees were 'meditating with corpses' to learn clairvoyance.

Witchcraft gurus at the Siri Chan Forest Monastery claimed that the dead bodies gave worshippers supernatural powers. They allegedly lured in new victims by reading flashcards while blindfolded.

But authorities raided the cult hideaway nestled among bamboos trees in remote Kamphaeng Phet province on November 20

Footage shows how they found 17 graves where 12 human bodies - including the corpse of an infant - which were then excavated. Four were recently deceased, while eight were skeletons, police said.

Some of the graves had been lined with banana leaves and salt to preserve the bodies, allegedly so they could be used for cult rituals.

Police Colonel Anek Chansorn, deputy commander of Kamphaeng Phet Provincial Police, said that officers are investigating how the bodies were transported to the monastery. 

He said: ‘An investigation has been started. If we find something isn't right, we will investigate them for charges of hiding corpses. We will proceed with the prosecution if we find evidence of wrongdoing.'

The police added that documentation was found that relatives of the deceased had donated the bodies to the monastery. DNA tests were underway to allow the families to claim the cadavers.

Kamphaeng Phet Provincial Office of Buddhism has ordered activities to cease at the Siri Chan Forest Monastery as it was found to be unauthorised. Officers have cordoned off the area.

Mae Mai, a follower of the suspected cult, said: 'The monastery teaches something original that cannot be learned at ordinary temples. 

'The master, Phra Ajarn Saifon, spent not only days but ten years learning clairvoyance. 

'Practitioners have to spend around six hours meditating and going through specific processes before meditating in front of the corpses.'

Alleged cult leader Phra Ajarn Saifon had previously claimed the religious group had 69 branches across Thailand. He also said in interviews that he was capable of other supernatural feats such as swapping bodies and walking through crocodile pits unscathed.

Thailand, a predominantly Buddhist country, is home to a wide range of spiritual beliefs - including some groups that might be considered religious cults or black magic.

In May 2022, Thai witchcraft bosss Tawee Nanla was arrested after police found 11 dead bodies in his home in Chaiyaphum province. He was said to have detained several of his followers and forced them to eat his urine and faeces.

While in January, Thai witch doctor Ajarn Man, also an alleged cult leader, sparked outrage as footage emerged of him licking followers' bottoms in a bizarre ritual meant to bring them good fortune. Police said they took no action as there were no complaints filed by his alleged victims.