Appeals Court Upholds Sentences for Temple Attack Masterminds
Thailand's Court of Appeals Region 6 upheld prison sentences for three masterminds who hired 21 men to attack a monk and workers at Wat Bang Klan in Phichit province in June 2023. The three ringleaders, including a former MP and a close disciple of a former abbot, received 16 months and 20 days without parole, while all 21 assailants have already been sentenced.
The Court of Appeals Region 6 upheld the lower court's verdict, ordering 16 months and 20 days imprisonment without parole for three ringleaders who hired men in black to attack Phra Waiyawachakorn, workers, and villagers at Wat Bang Klan (Wat Hiranyaram) in Phothale district, Phichit province. The 21 assailants have already received prison sentences.
The appeals court confirmed the convictions against Nang Supha, also known as Praphanun Yuyuen, 51, a village leader opposing the abbot of Wat Hiranyaram (Wat Bang Klan), and two co-defendants. They were found guilty of jointly trespassing on premises using force, committing offenses in a group of two or more, causing bodily or mental harm to others, and assaulting officials.
The incident occurred on the morning of June 6, 2023, when 21 masked men wearing balaclavas and caps stormed Wat Hiranyaram (also known as Wat Luang Pho Ngoen). They rampaged through the temple, severely injuring Phra Waiyawachakorn and several workers.
After the attack, Phra Khru Phisutthiworakorn, the abbot of Wat Bang Klan, instructed Phra Waiyawachakorn to gather evidence from CCTV footage, video clips, photos, and other materials to file a police complaint.
Former famous MP Kittisak Rattanaworaha and Nang Supha, a close disciple of the late former abbot Phra Khru Wisitthasilaporn, were identified as the masterminds who hired the gang. Kittisak's case remains in the lower court because his parliamentary immunity at the time delayed his prosecution compared to the other ringleaders, while all 21 assailants have already been sentenced.
