Buddhist Monk Attacks Acting Abbot Over Ceremony Exclusion
A junior monk attacked the acting abbot of a Rachaburi temple on September 20 after being excluded from a merit ceremony, causing ear injuries and hearing loss. The abbot suspects drug use and has requested authorities conduct testing of al
On September 22, 2025, a relative of a monk at a temple in Jetsamian subdistrict, Potharam district, Rachaburi province, reported that a junior monk verbally abused and physically attacked the acting abbot, causing injury in front of worshippers. The attack was apparently triggered by a misunderstanding; the monk believed the abbot had ordered his exclusion from temple duties and provided security footage as evidence. The abbot's family expressed concern for his safety despite the police report.
Investigators visited the temple and found Phra Prasong, the acting abbot, injured in his quarters. Medical examination and a police report from Potharam Station were obtained.
According to Phra Prasong's account, on September 20, villagers held a 100-day merit ceremony for a deceased relative and invited nine monks to attend. However, the monk coordinator excluded one junior monk from the ceremony—a decision made because that monk had repeatedly refused to attend invited merit-making events without advance notice, leaving the temple short of monks and disappointing sponsors. When invited monks numbered nine but only eight showed, it was because the excluded monk would not participate.
When the abbot removed this monk from the ceremony roster on September 20, the monk became angry, approached the abbot while he was with worshippers, cursed him with vulgar language, and then punched him on the left side of his face. Although another monk tried to intervene, the aggressor continued the assault. The injured abbot later sought medical care and was found to have bleeding in the ear, causing hearing loss. He filed a police report, fearing for his safety as the monk remained at the temple.
The abbot also revealed a pattern of problematic behavior: the monk frequently roams the temple at night ringing the bell loudly, and the abbot has repeatedly requested local authorities conduct urine testing of all monks, suspecting drug use, to maintain temple standards. However, no officials have ever responded to these requests. The abbot hopes that authorities will now conduct comprehensive drug testing of the entire monastic community.
