Abbot's Sister Urges Him to Relinquish Temple Amid Land Dispute
The sister of a temple abbot in Khon Kaen has urged him to relinquish the monastery amid a land dispute, citing safety concerns, but he refuses to abandon his post serving local residents.
The sister of Luang Pho Adul, abbot of Wat Pa Adulyaram in Muang district, Khon Kaen province, has expressed serious concern for his safety over a 21-rai temple land dispute. She has suggested he relinquish the temple to those claiming rights to it, but the abbot has insisted he will remain to oversee the monastery for the benefit of local residents.
On August 13, Muang Khon Kaen police continued to station officers at the temple entrance to ensure security and reassure the monks. This followed an incident on August 11 when a group of men blocked the temple's access roads to press their land claims. The situation remained calm, with disciples and relatives of the abbot visiting the temple. The abbot attended a scheduled dialysis appointment at Srinakharinwirot Hospital in Khon Kaen.
Naddha Chee-napheth, 78, the abbot's biological sister, and her husband Rieng, also 78, came to the temple to wait for him at his residence. They were visiting while the abbot was in transit for his dialysis treatment. During her wait, Naddha appeared visibly worried about her brother's safety and health.
Naddha explained that she is the abbot's sister. Their parents had 15 children, with the abbot being the tenth. Before ordination, his name was Sombat Pho Nang. He became a monk after completing his vocational studies and has maintained family contact over the years, occasionally returning home to Sila subdistrict in Muang Khon Kaen.
Naddha said she first learned of the land dispute when it initially went to court. She did not expect it to resurface. She came to the temple after seeing news reports of an unrest at the monastery involving her brother. She is very concerned and, if possible, would like the abbot to simply hand the temple to those seeking it to resolve the matter entirely. She noted he is now elderly and has chronic health conditions, but she acknowledged the decision ultimately rests with him. She admitted that in the past she has made similar suggestions to the abbot, but he has remained firm in his conviction that he must stay to care for the temple so that local residents have a place of refuge and support.
