Officials are investigating monks supervising two connected Buddhist places in the northern province of Phichit, where 73 corpses were stored without permission.

The investigation concerned Pa Nakhon Chaibovorn monastery in Pho Thale district, where 41 human bodies were found last week.

The probe also covered another 32 bodies found at Wat Pa Sivilai in Bang Mun Nak district on Monday.

Police questioned Phra Ajarn Saifon Pannathito, chief of Pa Nakhon Chaibovorn monastery. The monk had earlier stayed at Wat Pa Sivilai and later had his followers supervise the temple.

Monks told officials that the bodies were used as aids for meditation at both places.

The bodies were buried in the compounds of both places. The abbot of Wat Pa Sivilai told officials that most of the bodies were late followers and their relatives, and they had given consent for monks to keep their bodies there.

Officials would determine if the human bodies at both places violated any laws.

Local authorities were examining the bodies to identify them. They temporarily closed both locations pending investigation. At Pa Nakhon Chaibovorn monastery, there is also a big den of about 600 crocodiles.