Abbot Phrayom Denies Fake News: Viral Video of Monk Abusing Novice Falsely Attributed to Suan Kaew Temple
Abbot Phrayom of Suan Kaew Temple in Nonthaburi denied a viral video showing monk abuse was from his temple, saying someone falsely attached the temple's name to unverified footage. He urged the public to verify sources before sharing misin
On April 25, 2025, Abbot Phrayom Kanjano of Suan Kaew Temple in Nonthaburi province addressed a circulating video claiming to show a senior monk abusing a novice. He questioned why the original posts did not specify which temple the incident occurred at or what wrongdoing the novice committed, noting that someone had placed Suan Kaew Temple's name tag on the video and claimed the monk had beaten the novice until bruised. Phrayom stated that such behavior does not reflect true monastic conduct. He emphasized that the shared content has caused the temple considerable trouble and noted this is not the first such incident he has encountered. Temple officials have filed a formal complaint and daily record to clarify that the incident did not occur at Suan Kaew Temple.
Phrayom appealed to the public to be discerning media consumers and verify sources before sharing or believing unsubstantiated claims. He warned that angry individuals have called the temple to criticize them, and that misinformation spreads rapidly once posted. He urged people not to blindly follow or believe such reports, describing the spread of fake news as a form of moral decay in society, as predicted by the late Venerable Buddhadasa Bhikkhu regarding technology's impact.
Phrayom added that the temple had only three novices ordained during the recent summer period, with two having already disrobed, leaving one remaining. He noted that when asking the young residents at the temple if any monks matched the appearance in the video, they confirmed no such monk was present at the temple. He pointed out that most monks at Suan Kaew are elderly, while the person depicted in the video appears younger.
Phrayom concluded by requesting that devotees exercise careful consideration and encouraged anyone with questions to contact the temple directly for clarification.
