Monk Clarifies Massage Video, Denies Misconduct Claims
A monk cleared of misconduct after a massage video sparked online backlash was filmed without his knowledge by his driver, who posted it to a village group in anger; authorities ruled no serious breach occurred.
A video circulating online showed a woman massaging a monk's leg as he lay on a sofa, drawing criticism for inappropriate behavior. Clarification revealed the monk and woman were not alone—a third person, the monk's driver, was filming. The driver later posted the clip to a village line group, sparking backlash. An annual village meeting held on July 26, 2026, addressed the incident. The videographer admitted posting it out of anger toward the house owner, claiming the monk knew nothing about it. The Phnom Twan District clergy committee ruled the monk committed no serious monastic breach and need not leave the order. The meeting agreed not to share the video further. The monk's associate filed a formal statement with Phnom Twan Police to document the agreement and warn against future distribution, with legal action threatened if violated. Despite this, the clip was shared again online.
