A psychic medium died after reportedly stabbing himself in the heart during a bungled act to prove his immortality.

Theprit Palee, 25, had been performing a traditional dance in front of spectators in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, yesterday afternoon.

The folk ritual is believed to honor the spirits of ancestors and in previous shows Palee would impress onlookers by appearing superhuman when the blade broke as it was pressed against his chest.

But the well-known clairvoyant’s act is reported to have gone horrifically wrong when he accidentally plunged the blade inside him after it failed to snap.

Crowds are said to have gathered round the man as they tried to revive him but he was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Resident Noom Udorn said that Palee had provided readings for several years to local people.

He said: “This is a tradition that happens every year. The sword normally breaks but this time it went inside him.”

“The medium has been respected for many years. People love him. He is one of the people’s favorites.”

Deputy police inspector Chaiwat Phan said they arrived at the San Kamphaeng district of the province at 3 p.m. and found the medium bleeding.

He said: “We were informed that a man armed with a knife had stabbed himself. We are coordinating with the hospital while an autopsy is performed.”

“There were people at the scene helping Mr. Palee but he died later in hospital. He had a stab wound to the chest.”