Temple turmoil: Monks clash in a not-so-holy ‘axe-ident’ in Nakhon Pathom (video)

Two Thai monks engaged in a violent holy altercation at Don Khanak Temple in the central province of Nakhon Pathom yesterday. One of them suffered serious injuries after suffering two axe blows to the head.

Officers from Mueang Nakhon Pathom Police Station were alerted to the physical altercation at the temple at around 10.30am yesterday, October 27. Upon investigation, police found two monks involved in the incident, 53 year old Chatchai Nuanklam and 60 year old Chairat Thitawayamo.

Chatchai had severe wounds to his head, and his monk’s robe was covered in blood. A utility knife and axe were discovered at the scene. Chairat sustained only mild injuries from the fight.

Chairat explained that the dispute broke out after he warned Chatchai to wear his robe properly and keep it tidy, as the temple had many visitors on the day of the incident. Chatchai was angered by the warning and grabbed the utility knife to stab Chairat.

Chairat said he managed to avoid the knife attack but was extremely angry. He rushed to his accommodation and returned to Chatchai with the axe. He approached Chatchai from behind and they fought until they both fell to the ground.

Chatchai, who was younger and stronger, strangled Chairat, prompting the older monk to strike him twice in the head with the axe. People working at the temple then intervened in the altercation and separated the two.

The abbot of the temple ordered Chairat to leave the monkhood and insisted that the injured monk Chatchai would also be forced to leave the monkhood once his condition improved.

Police officers did not disclose further legal proceedings against the two parties to the public.

Another violent incident involving a monk was reported this month at a temple in Nakhon Pathom province. A monk at Wat Si Bun Rueng reportedly attacked a man with a machete after the man made loud noises while searching for crickets near the monk’s accommodation.

In a related report in March, two monks in the southern province of Surat Thani fought each other during a New Year’s blessing ceremony at a local’s house near the temple. The details of the conflict leading to the altercation were not revealed in the report.