The abbot of a famous Buddhist temple in Hat Yai, accused of sexually assaulting four novice monks, and his disciple, disguised themselves in lay attire to flee north after the scandal broke, but were ultimately apprehended by police who had intelligence on their whereabouts.
According to comprehensive reports from Thai media, the 41-year-old abbot and the 18-year-old monk involved in the case were confirmed to have been arrested on the 28th of this month.
This shocking and outrageous case came to light on the 24th of this month. At that time, four novice monks who had been practicing at “Peacock Temple” (Wat Nok Yoong) in Ban Phru, Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, collectively escaped from the temple after being unable to endure long-term abuse.
This shocking and outrageous case came to light on the 24th of this month. At that time, four novice monks who had been practicing at “Peacock Temple” (Wat Nok Yoong) in Ban Phru, Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, collectively escaped from the temple after being unable to endure long-term abuse.
The families of the victims filed a police report as soon as they learned what had happened to their children, accusing the abbot and the 18-year-old monk of forcing several young novices to perform oral sex on them over an extended period.
The police immediately launched an investigation after receiving the report and sought an arrest warrant from the court, listing multiple serious charges including rape, sexual assault of minors under 15, and sexual assault of children under 13, formally placing the two suspects on the wanted list.
The two then removed their robes and put on lay clothing in order to conceal their identities, attempting to return to Songkhla Province. However, the police were already monitoring their movements. When the pair passed a highway police service station in Chawang, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, they were intercepted on the spot by officers lying in ambush.
Currently, the two suspects have been escorted back to the local police station and will be handed over to Thung Lung police for legal proceedings.
Police stated that the case is still under in-depth investigation, and authorities will further clarify whether there are additional victims.
Regarded as a Buddhist Holy Place, Accused Abbot Held High Prestige
“Peacock Temple” is located in Hat Yai, Songkhla Province in southern Thailand, an area with vibrant Buddhist culture. Many families traditionally send young boys to the temple for temporary ordination as novices during holidays or certain periods to cultivate themselves and pray for their families.
The 41-year-old abbot suspect had been ordained in the area for many years and originally held a certain degree of prestige among the local believers.
Because all the victims in the case were just teenagers or even younger than 13, and had been living in the closed environment of the temple for years, the abuse went undiscovered until the novice monks could no longer bear it and fled together, shocking the local community.