Monk kills mentally ill homeless man with hammer over laptop theft

A monk in Nong Khai killed a mentally ill homeless man with a hammer, suspecting him of attempting to steal his laptop. The incident occurred at Wat Phothisomphon Temple, leaving locals and officials in shock.

Officers from Nong Khai City Police Station yesterday, July 15, received a report of a fatal assault at Phothisomphon Temple. Arriving at the scene, they found the two-storey monk‘s quarters in a dilapidated state.

On the second-floor balcony was 43 year old Witthaya, who sat calmly waiting for the police, admitting to the attack. He confessed to using a hammer to strike the head of a man known locally as Pae, leading to his death.

Upon inspecting the scene, officers found Pae’s body on the second floor of the quarters. The victim, shirtless and wearing black shorts, had severe head injuries. A bloodstained hammer was found on a plastic drawer nearby. Witthaya was taken into custody and subsequently defrocked before being questioned at the police station.

Police Colonel Yuthana Ngamchat, leading the investigation, revealed that Witthaya’s parents had persuaded him to become a monk to help calm his mind, as he was undergoing treatment for mental health issues and required regular medication. Pae, a known homeless man from a nearby village, frequently stayed at the temple for food and shelter.

According to Witthaya, he was listening to music on his laptop on the balcony when the music abruptly stopped. Looking inside, he saw Pae near the laptop and, in a fit of rage, assumed Pae intended to steal it.

Witthaya then grabbed a hammer and repeatedly struck Pae on the head until he collapsed. Following the incident, Witthaya informed other monks of what had transpired and asked them to call the police, expressing no intention of fleeing.

Despite Witthaya’s claim of mental illness, police remain sceptical. During questioning, Witthaya communicated coherently, and even while being defrocked, he accurately recited the necessary chants.

A fellow monk, Sujinno, revealed further insight into the victim’s family background. He stated that Pae’s father had remarried a local woman and that Pae had mental health issues, often wandering around and attending local religious events, reported KhaSod.