Si Quey, also known as Si Quey Sae, was a Sino Thai gardener and serial killer. Quey allegedly killed several children throughout the 1950s before being arrested in 1958 and executed in 1959. According to some sources, Quey was the first killer in the history of modern Thailand.

Biography

Much of Si Quey's history is unknown; the Thai department of corrections was never contacted by a family member, and as of 2020 Quey was considered stateless. One source states that Quey was born in Shantou, China in 1927, and that he later fought during the Second Sino-Japanese War. According to Thai government records, Quey engaged in cannibalism during the war, eating parts of his fellow soldiers when supplies ran low during a siege.[1] He emigrated to Thailand after the war.[1]

During the 1950's, Quey worked in a number of menial roles (several sources describe him as a gardener) before beginning his killings. From 1954 to 1958, Quey killed several (sources disagree on whether four[2], five[2], or six[1]) Thai children, allegedly disemboweling, boiling, and eating his victims. Active in Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, and Rayong, Quey was arrested (reportedly while attempting to burn a body)[3] by Thai police in 1958 after which he confessed to the murders. According to Thai records, Quey confessed to police that he targeted children as they were easier to lure. He also allegedly admitted to enjoying the taste of human flesh, but later denied being a cannibal.[1][4] He was tried, sentenced to death, and executed by firing squad in 1959 at the age of 32. Quey's remains were preserved and used for medical testing before being embalmed and put on display Siriraj Medical Museum in Bangkok.[5]

While most sources state that Quey committed the murders, others have called into question his confession and trial.[6] Several note that Quey spoke no Thai[6] and as such may not have given an accurate confession, and that he was forced to use a translator during his trial.[1] Anti-Chinese and anti-immigrant sentiment may have also played a roll in Quey's trial.[1] A campaign by humanitarian activists successfully campaigned for Quey's corpse to be removed from display in early 2020, and in July 2020 his remains were cremated at Wat Bang Praek Tai temple.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Serial child killer, cannibal, bogeyman – but was he innocent?". South China Morning Post. 2019-06-14. Retrieved 2020-09-08.
  2. ^ a b English, Khaosod (2020-07-23). "Si Quey, Exonerated of Cannibalism, is Laid to Rest (Photos)". Khaosod English. Retrieved 2020-09-08.
  3. ^ "Mörder im Glaskasten: Thailand streitet über Leichnam im Museum". HAZ – Hannoversche Allgemeine (in German). Retrieved 2020-09-08.
  4. ^ month, Danial Martinus 1; Weeks, 2 (2020-07-21). "A 'cannibal' who murdered seven kids is finally being cremated after more than 60 years". Mashable SEA. Retrieved 2020-09-08. ((cite web)): |first2= has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ Limited, Bangkok Post Public Company. "Cannibal killer Si Quey to be cremated". https://www.bangkokpost.com. Retrieved 2020-09-08. ((cite web)): External link in |website= (help)
  6. ^ a b c 161385360554578 (2020-07-23). "Body of cannibal who killed & ate 7 children cremated 62 years after execution". The US Sun. Retrieved 2020-09-08. ((cite web)): |last= has numeric name (help)
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