Parents of British boy beaten to death in Thailand break down in tears as he is laid to rest

A British boy beaten to death by a drug dealer in Thailand was laid to rest today in a moving Buddhist ceremony.

Woramet Ben Taota, 16, was lured to his death by a friend who had come under the spell of Chaitwat 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.

He screamed: ‘Look me in the eyes, you b*****d!’

Today the successful businessman 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 drug dealer in Thailand in a honeytrap murder was laid to rest today in a moving Buddhist ceremony. Pictured: The boy's 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

A British boy beaten to death by a drug dealer in Thailand in a honeytrap murder was laid to rest today in a moving Buddhist ceremony. Pictured: The boy’s 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

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

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

The funeral procession for Ben led by Buddhist monks in Lampang, Thailand today

The funeral procession for Ben led by Buddhist monks in Lampang, Thailand today

Ben, 16, was found in a grove in Lampang, Thailand on May 7, after being brutally murdered by a drug dealer a day earlier

Ben, 16, 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 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.

Dressed all in black, Steven appeared lost in his grief as he walked alone surrounded by friends and family on the two-mile march to the temple.

Ben’s mother Ooy walked at the front of the cortege surrounded by her sisters.

The youngster’s remains were carried in a brightly-coloured Thai funeral carriage, some 25ft tall.

Ben’s friends from the Sop Prop Motorcycle Club led the way, revving the engines of the motocross bikes that 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 that offers views to jungle covered mountains and is surrounded by paddy fields.

Buddhists monks led prayers for two nights, 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, Steven 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 heartbroken 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 lead the funeral procession, revving the engines of the motocross bikes that he loved to ride in the surrounding countryside

Ben’s friends from the Sop Prop Motorcycle Club lead the funeral procession, revving the engines of the motocross bikes that he loved to ride in the surrounding countryside

Ben's parents Steven and Ooy are seen during the funeral for their son In Lampang, Thailand today

Ben’s parents Steven and Ooy are seen during the funeral for their son In Lampang, Thailand today

Ben's grieving father Steven at the funeral

Ben’s grieving father Steven at the funeral

Ben's mother Ooy wept during the service

Ben’s mother Ooy wept during the service

Ben's girlfriend Tasiri Inchoy, know as Yam, is comforted by Ben's father Steven today

Ben’s girlfriend Tasiri Inchoy, know as Yam, is comforted by Ben’s father Steven today

Ben's father Steven and mother Ooy

Ben’s father Steven and mother Ooy

Steven and Ooy at their son's funeral

Steven and Ooy at their son’s funeral

Ben’s 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.

Ooy and Steven 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 his friend Suraphitchava Khamsa, known as Pong, on the back, last Saturday 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 his death in a twisted honeytrap after she became hooked on the powerful methamphetamine pills the killer 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 at the spacious home where Ben grew up. Steven divides his time between Thailand and UK.

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.

Ben's parents Steven Graham and Ooy are guided by other mourners during the traditional Buddhist funeral for their son

Ben’s parents Steven Graham and Ooy are guided by other mourners during the traditional Buddhist funeral for their son

Steven and Ooy walk down the stairs of the temple which hosted the funeral for their son

Steven and Ooy walk down the stairs of the temple which hosted the funeral for their son

The funeral procession for Ben makes its way through Lampang, Thailand today

 The funeral procession for Ben makes its way through Lampang, Thailand today

Mourners walk the heart-breaking two-mile funeral march to the temple

Mourners walk the heart-breaking two-mile funeral march to the temple

Ben's coffin is seen ahead of his funeral

Ben’s coffin is seen ahead of his funeral

The coffin is loaded onto the funeral carriage, some 25ft tall

The coffin is loaded onto the funeral carriage, some 25ft tall

Steven, who runs a business insuring thatched-roof properties, told MailOnline: ‘Ben was lured to meet his killer in some kind of honeytrap 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.’

source: dailymail.co.uk