Heated Controversy: 3 Novice Monks Clash Over Temple Abbot

A controversial incident involving three novice monks has erupted at a temple in Bang Kruai, Nonthaburi province. Social media clips show one novice monk confronting the abbot about alleged relationships with other novices, with another clip showing two novices arguing over the abbot's attention. On February 20, reporters visited the temple but found the abbot was away on a meditation retreat since February 15. Temple monks reported that senior clergy had already inquired about the incident but no formal action had been taken. The abbot's assistant suggested the clips might be an attempt to damage the abbot's reputation, noting that the conversations could be misinterpreted work-related discussions. The assistant mentioned several novices involved: Pong, who works on casting Buddhist statues, and other novices who help around the temple. Local vendors expressed skepticism about the allegations, suggesting the conflict might be driven by personal disputes or attempts to discredit individuals.