The body of a policeman who had been repeatedly stabbed and mutilated was found dead at a house in Kalasin province in the early hours of Monday.

Police, rescue volunteers and a medical examiner were called to a wooden house in Kamalasai about 1.30am after neighbours discovered the body.

At the house Pol Lt Col Jamras Dolchua, 57, of Rong Kham police station, was found face up in a pool of blood having been stabbed at least 20 times and his genitals cut off.

The house and surrounding area had been set alight and the fire extinguished by neighbours, according to investigators.

The dead man’s son told police his father had been involved with a woman who told him she was divorced, which turned out to be a lie and the lady was still married, at which point he broke off the relationship.

It is believed this could be a motive for the murder.

The investigation is ongoing and the body sent to Khon Kaen Hospital for an autopsy.