Abbot
- Thailand News
Former abbot gets 468-year sentence in 300 million baht embezzlement case
The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases sentenced a former abbot of Wat Pa Dhammakiri in Nakhon Ratchasima, to an overwhelming 468 years in prison. This decision was made yesterday, March 20, following lawsuits that accused Khom Kongkaeowas and eight others of being embroiled in an embezzlement case worth nearly 300 million baht (US$8.34 million). Among the eight…
- Thailand News
Thai abbot found burnt in forest shocks local community
A revered abbot’s tragic demise has sent shockwaves through a Thai community after his body was found burned to the extent that only his upper torso remained identifiable. The abbot, Luang Pu Poon Thitapunyo, of Wat Pa Kesem Suk in Phetchabun Province, was discovered in a forested area behind the temple. The police have been meticulously piecing together evidence ever…
- Thailand News
Buddhist temple’s blessing: 3000 eggs donated to firefighters
In a heartwarming gesture of support, the abbot of Wat Lok Moli in Chiang Mai, Phrakhru Paibul Jetiyanurak has rallied behind firefighters battling relentless forest fires for over a month. The revered abbot donated a staggering 3,000 eggs to aid park officials and volunteers in their valiant efforts to quell the flames ravaging the province. In a solemn ceremony, the…
- Thailand News
Assistant abbot and accomplice apprehended for embezzlement
Anti-Corruption Division police swooped down on Wat Ratchapradit’s assistant abbot and his suspected accomplice in an embezzlement case. Assistant abbot, 47 year old Phrakru Sutheesutawatwiwat Puangkerd, found himself in handcuffs at Wat Duang Khae in Pathumwan district, while his alleged accomplice, 52 year old Panjit Phanphrom, faced legal consequences at Wat Tha Phra in Bangkok Yai district. According to police…
- Thailand News
Devotees swarm Mahasarakham temple as abbot donates 2 million baht
Thousands of devotees flocked to pay homage to the revered teacher Suriyant yesterday as he generously distributed 2 million baht (US$55,447) in donations, also sparking excitement for lottery enthusiasts with lucky numbers for the upcoming draw on Friday, February 16. Mahasarakham’s Wat Phutthavanaram, also known as Wat Wang Nam Yen, was teeming with devotees who came to celebrate the 45th…
- Thailand News
Nakhon Si Thammarat abbot charged with animal cruelty
The abbot of a temple in Nakhon Si Thammarat is facing animal cruelty charges after reportedly hitting a stray dog with a stick, causing severe eye injuries. The 37 year old abbot Danai of Wat Chan Por in Tha Sala district, along with a 15 year old temple novice, identified only as A, voluntarily appeared at the Tha Sala Police…
- Thailand News
Bangkok community demands expulsion of disrespectful teacher
Tensions erupted in a close-knit neighbourhood located in Wat Suttharam school surrounding Bangkok yesterday as residents sought to oust a school teacher and his wife accused of disrespectful and aggressive behaviour. The resentment harboured towards the teacher by the community, which comprises over 200 residents, reached a fever pitch following his controversial behaviour on social media, wherein he insulted and…
- Chiang Mai News
Chiang Mai temple abbot investigated for 200 million baht mismanagement and illegal shrine construction
A high-profile Chiang Mai temple abbot is under investigation after allegations of mismanagement of 200 million baht (US$ 5,762,028) worth of donations and unauthorised construction of a shrine, following a recent incident in which he caused damage to multiple vehicles. The Chiang Mai Ecclesiastical Office is now examining the financial and land issues related to Phra Phutthabat Si Roi temple,…
- Crime News
Former temple abbot allegedly sexually assaults teen girl in Thailand
An elderly former temple abbot, who is 78 years old, is accused of sexually assaulting a 16 year old girl and threatening to destroy her family’s home within the temple grounds. The girl’s brother secretly recorded the abbot’s behaviour and handed the evidence to the police, leading to the abbot’s suspension. Today, a 25 year old man identified as ‘A’,…
- Thailand News
Prominent Chiang Mai abbot’s shocking crash leaves trail of carnage
A revered Chiang Mai temple abbot crashed into eight vehicles, including six cars and two motorcycles, causing carnage and prompting netizens to question why he was wearing shorts. The abbot, known as Kru Ba, was travelling to visit his younger brother but ended up in a multi-vehicle pile-up. A witness at the scene, Sakul, reported that the accident occurred around…
- Road deaths
Abbot crashes into motorbike killing village chief’s daughter in northeast Thailand
The abbot of a famous temple pulled out onto the main road causing a motorbike to crash into his car in Khon Kaen province, northeast Thailand, yesterday afternoon. The village headman’s 23 year old daughter died in the crash and her brother was injured. The 74 year old monk, Phra Sen Sikayom, is the acting abbot of Wat Suwannaram in Bang…
- News
7 monks receive suspended jail terms, 10,000 baht fines from Chiang Mai court
7 monks and 1 friend who were found enjoying food and alcoholic drinks Sunday night, 4 of whom were abbots, have been defrocked from the monkhood, fined, and given suspended jail sentences for breaking Covid containment measures. Police, who had received complaints from residents, raided a location for monks at Wat Pansao in Chiang Mai. Bangkok Post says the monks…
- Pattaya News
Monk offers 10,000 baht reward for information that leads to turtle thief’s capture
A monk in Chon Buri, an eastern Thai province, is offering a 10,000 baht reward to anyone who helps return his stolen turtles. The monk says the turtles are ancient. The specific species of turtles has not been given. The turtles were allegedly stolen from the Samet Temple in Chon Buri and the abbot says the turtle stealers took between…
- Northern Thailand News
Monk suspected of running off with 70,000 baht in donations
A 64 year old monk in the Isaan province Buri Ram is suspected of running off with 70,000 baht in donations made to the temple. The monk, as well as the thousands of baht in cash, have been missing for the past week. The abbot of a temple in the Nangrong district had made a request with the temple committee…
- Pattaya News
Abbot of Chon Buri temple found hanged in apparent suicide
The abbot of a temple in the eastern Chon Buri province was found hanged yesterday. Police have ruled the death a suicide. The man, identified as 56 year old Phra Cholasrirosoto, was the abbot of Wat Khao Din Rom Pho Thong in Ban Bueang. He was found by 49 year old Phra Kitja Kittiphattho, who had come to deliver fruit…
- Northern Thailand News
Woman demands monk apologise for killing her pregnant sister in Buriram
A Buddhist monk who stabbed a pregnant woman to death has been ordered to apologise by the woman’s sister. The monk, named as 57 year old Phra Um Deeruenrom, was the abbot of Wat Ban Nong Bua, in the northeastern province of Buriram, until his arrest and defrocking. He has confessed to murdering the woman, who it’s understood he was…
- Northern Thailand News
Monk chases pregnant woman and kills her in Buriram
Investigating a fatal stabbing in Buriram yesterday, police now believe the woman who was stabbed by an Abbot, had been blackmailing him after having an affair. The fatal stabbing happened on a road near Ban Mai Charoensuk in Tum Yai, in northern Buriram yesterday afternoon, following a road incident. The victim, 36 year old “Lampai”, was 8 months pregnant Eyewitnesses…
- Thailand News
Udon Thani temple blaze, abbot’s death likely caused by short circuit
Investigators in Udon Thani in Thailand’s north believe a short circuit was the cause of a fire at Wat Pa Ban Tad forest temple that killed a revered abbot. The assistant national police chief yesterday led senior officers and Udon Thani’s deputy governor to inspect the fire-ravaged living quarters of Phra Ajarn Sudjai Thanthamano, the abbot, who died in the…
- Northern Thailand News
Udon Thani temple blaze claims abbot’s life
A famous forest temple in Issan’s Udon Thani province caught fire yesterday, claiming the life of its abbot. The temple has long been associated with the late Maha Bua Yannasampanno, thought by many of his followers to be an Arahant (someone who has attained Enlightenment) and a master in the Thai Forest Tradition. 75 year old Phra Ajarn Sudjai Thanthamano…
- Crime News
Abbot who embezzled 69.7 million baht gets fines, suspended sentence
An ex-abbot of Wat Sa Ket (Golden Mount Temple), found guilty of embezzling 69.7 million baht in temple funds, has been fined 27,000 baht and given a jail term of 36 months, suspended. The sentence was handed down at the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases yesterday. The court found 64 year old Thongchai Sukkho guilty of “malfeasance.”…
- Chiang Mai News
Chiang Mai abbot defrocked over sexual abuse charges
FILE PHOTO An abbot in Chiang Mai has been arrested and defrocked for allegedly sexually abusing “more than 10” boys at his temple in Hang Dong district. 37 year old Phra Phansak Thitsilo, has now had his title reverted back to his lay name, Phansak Saenkhamwang, following his arrest at Wat Sriwaree Sathan in Tambon Sob Mae Kha. The warrant…
