A British boy beaten to death in a honey trap in Thailand by a ruthless drug dealer has been buried today in a moving Buddhist ceremony.
Woramet Ben Taota, 16, had been lured to his death by a glamorous teenage friend who had fallen under the spell of Chaitwat ‘Wat’ Boogarin, a convicted child molester.
His father, Steven Graham, angrily confronted the killer last week when police reconstructed the brutal murder in the jungle outside Lampang, in the north of the country, last week.
He yelled, “Look me in the eye, you bastard!”
Today, the successful East Sussex company, and Ben’s Thai mother Ooy, burst into tears as they led mourners to a traditional Buddhist cremation in the lush countryside where he grew up.
A British boy beaten to death in a honey trap in Thailand by a ruthless drug dealer has been buried today in a moving Buddhist ceremony. Pictured: Father Steven Graham (second right) holds hands with Ben’s mother Ooy (squatting and comforting), who burst into tears at her son Woramet Ben Taota’s funeral
Pictured: Steven Graham, whose son Woramet Ben Taota was killed on May 6, is seen today with his hands on his head at his son’s funeral
Pictured: The funeral procession for Woramet Ben Taota is led today by Buddhist monks in Lampang, Thailand. Ben was killed on May 6 by a Thai drug dealer
Woramet Ben Taota, 16, (pictured) was found on May 7 in a forest in Lampang, Thailand, after being brutally murdered by a Thai 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 the way back, Steven seemed lost in his grief as he walked the heartbreaking two-mile march to the temple alone, surrounded by friends and family.
Ben’s mother Ooy led the way, surrounded by her sisters, who had been second mothers to the cherished boy.
The youngster’s remains were transported in a brightly colored Thai funeral carriage about 7.5 meters high.
Ben’s friends from the Sop Prop Motorcycle Club led the way, running the engines of the dirt bikes that the young Brit 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, Steve and Ooy have hosted hundreds of well-wishers at their mansion, which overlooks jungle-clad mountains and is surrounded by paddy fields.
Buddhist monks had been leading prayers for the past two nights, chanting for up to an hour, in karmic rhythm.
MailOnline was invited to attend the funeral and note the immense appreciation he and his family enjoy in Banjua village where they performed.
Steve struggled to hold back his emotions and said, “There’s a part of me that hates all this. But in another way it helps me with my grief.
“All this is causing me tremendous pain. I can’t eat and I can hardly sleep. It’s pain beyond description.’
Ben’s heartbroken girlfriend Tansiri Inchoy known as ‘Yam’ burst into tears just before the funeral procession departed.
Ben’s friends from the Sop Prop Motorcycle Club (pictured today) led the funeral procession and revved the engines of the motocross bikes the young Brit loved to ride in the surrounding countryside
Pictured: Ben’s parents Steven Graham (right) and Ooy (left) are seen today at their son’s funeral in Lampang, Thailand
Pictured: Ben’s father Steven Graham is seen today at his son’s funeral
In the photo: Ben’s mother Ooy bursts into tears today during her son’s funeral
Pictured: Ben’s girlfriend Tasiri Inchoy, known as Yam, is being comforted by Ben’s father Steven at his funeral in Thailand today
In the photo: Ben’s father Steven and mother Ooy can be seen during their son’s funeral
In the photo: Ben’s father Steven and mother Ooy can be seen during their son’s funeral
His coffin was placed at the cremation site among lush trees and surrounded by paddy fields, before a short Buddhist ceremony with chanting monks and prayers left the mourners in silence.
Mama Ooy and papa Steve burst into tears when 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 away from the village on a blue moped last Saturday evening (May 6) with friend Suraphitchava Khamsa, known as Pong, on the back.
His lifeless body was discovered the next day (May 7) in woods about three miles away by a garbage collector who saw his legs sticking out of a wood.
Days later, Pong, who was missing, was also found murdered in the jungle.
The police believe she lured Ben to death in a twisted honey trap after she became addicted to the powerful methamphetamine pills he was trafficking.
The 15-year-old had suffered devastating head injuries and was buried in a shallow grave close to the main north-south highway.
MailOnline traveled to Lampang to visit Ben’s heartbroken parents Steven and Ooy in the spacious house where Ben grew up and where the British businessman, who divides his time between the UK and Thailand, often visited.
Steve, 60, and Ooy, 50, spoke about the pain of losing their only child and the mystery surrounding his brutal death.
Although 44-year-old Wat has confessed to killing Ben, he denies having played any part in Pong’s death, and Thai police continue to investigate.
Pictured: Ben’s parents Steven Graham and Ooy are accompanied by other mourners at 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 took place in Lampang, Thailand today
Pictured: Ben’s funeral procession passes through Lampang, Thailand today
Pictured: People take part in the heartbreaking two-mile funeral march to the temple
Pictured: The coffin of the murdered Ben is seen today for burial in Thailand
Pictured: The coffin of the murdered Ben is loaded onto the Thai funeral carriage, about 7.5 meters high
Steve, who runs a business that insures thatched roof properties, told MailOnline: ‘Ben was lured to meet his killer in some sort of honey trap set up by this young girl.
“She was only 15. She and Ben had known each other since they were young. But she would have had a relationship with this man Wat.
“He had recently been released from prison and it is clear that he was a prolific drug dealer. A very bad man.’
Ooy added: “Ben was everything to me. I don’t know what to do without him.’