By Tim Binnall
A village in Thailand has revived a strict set of community rules in response to several mysterious deaths that have occurred there since the start of the year. The peculiar case reportedly began in January when Ban Khop Klang Nuea was beset by a series of incidents wherein a staggering 15 young people perished under inexplicable circumstances. Strangely, this was not the first time such an eerie spate of deaths had befallen the community as, long ago, a similar phenomenon took place in the village, which led residents to adopt nine rather strict rules that had been imparted to them by a monk enlisted to help ward off evil spirits.
In light of the unnerving number of deaths in Ban Khop Klang Nuea this year, many in the village concluded that the edicts were being ignored by the younger generation, which led to so many people losing their lives. In response, the community executed a proverbial refresh by performing the monk's ritual once again and reinforcing the strict regulations that govern the village. Among the rules residents are now expected to follow are a ban on bringing dead bodies into Ban Khop Klang Nuea as well as a prohibition on killing any four-legged animals. Additionally, on the 8th, 14th, and 15th of each month, people are not allowed to bring an array of items into the village, including stock, mill rice, firewood, stones, soil, and blady grasses.
In a testament to the seriousness with which the community takes these edicts, they actually put them on display at the entrance to the village along with a sign that reads "stop and read the rules of the village." Lest one think that the strange statutes are merely suggestions for residents and visitors, those caught breaking the rules are subject to a fine of around $14 which goes towards a fund for renovating the community's temple. While that might seem like a small price to pay for violating the regulations, one imagines that most residents will be sticking to the renewed rules in light of the incidents that prompted them to be revived in the first place, lest they wind up being added to the tally of mysterious deaths.