Sinful: Abbot defrocked, arrested for assaulting boy in Udon Thani
Police apprehended a 24 year old abbot accused of sexually assaulting a 12 year old boy at a temple in Mueang district, Udon Thani province. The boy’s mother, shocked by the incident, had left her son at the temple due to financial difficulties after separating from her husband.
Police Colonel Wichan Suthampeng, superintendent of Kumphawapi Police Station, along with Deputy Superintendent for Investigation Police Lieutenant Colonel Bumrung Naebchitchai and Investigation Inspector Police Lieutenant Colonel Sompoom Khanteekul, led a team to arrest Phra Pha (alias) at a temple in Soe Phloe, Kumphawapi district.
The arrest was made yesterday, March 19, at 10.30am, based on an Udon Thani Provincial Court warrant, number 99/2568, charging him with rape and indecent acts against a child under 13, irrespective of the child’s consent. Following the arrest, he was defrocked by the district monk chief and taken for questioning, during which he denied the allegations.
The case arose when Noi (alias), a 37 year old resident of Udon Thani province, sought help from the Pavena Hongsakul Foundation for Women and Children. After her separation and due to economic hardship, she sent her 12 year old son to the temple for religious education and care during the school holidays.
Although the boy was not yet ordained as a novice, as he was still studying in primary school, he stayed at the temple where the alleged abuse occurred.
The boy confided in a monk at the temple about the abuse, and the information eventually reached his school teacher, who notified his mother. Upon learning of the incident, she contacted the Pavena Foundation, which coordinated with the Udon Thani provincial children and family home to ensure the boy’s protection and to conduct a medical examination.
An interdisciplinary team interviewed the child, who confirmed the abuse by the abbot. Subsequently, evidence was gathered, leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant.
The abbot’s arrest followed, with opposition to bail as preparations are made to present him to the Udon Thani Provincial Court for detention, reported KhaoSod.
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