The Siamese community in the country is displeased that the term 'Siamese' was used in several news reports yesterday on the death of a man where a female bomoh or medium was involved in Kampung Rusa, Machang, Terengganu.

Senator Boon Som Inong said the use of the term 'Siamese' tarnished the image of more than 80,000 Siamese in Malaysia, and it was inaccurate because the suspect in the case was actually a Thai national.

According to feedback received, the majority of Siamese here felt insulted by the misuse of the term, he told Bernama.

He said the National Registration Department database includes Malaysians of Siamese descent who are Buddhists as a separate category while Thai nationals are refered to as 'Thais'.

On Wednesday, Faizal Harun, 26, died after being taken by his family for a 'ritual cleansing' by the bomoh, alleged to be a Thai national.

- Bernama