Surat Thani farmer was arrested yesterday for manslaughter and illicit drug charges after three kids died of electrocution while attempting to steal krathom growing on his farm.

The names and ages of the deceased youths were not released.

Somporn Detburi had planted about 10 Krathom trees amidst his other crops in Wiang Sa district. The krathom was protected by electrical wires so that thieves wouldn’t steal from them, since their leaves are used as illicit drugs and classified as a Category 5 narcotic, reported Thai PBS.

The farmer told officers that he thought the three kids came onto his property at night to take Krathom leaves. He assumed they tried to hack away at the trees with knives and may have hit an electrical wire in the process.

He was then charged with manslaughter and having illicit drugs.

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