Prominent Buddhist Abbot Arrested for Sexually Abusing Four Young Novice Monks After Fleeing to Uttaradit
A prominent abbot and novice monk were arrested after fleeing a temple in Songkhla for allegedly sexually abusing four young novices ages 12-14; police tracked them to Uttaradit province after they went on the run when charges were filed.
On June 29, police from Thung Luang Station in Songkhla province announced the arrest of the temple abbot, identified as Athichat, and novice monk Chonkan (surname withheld), who were accused of sexually abusing four young novice monks aged 12-14. Following social media reports of abuse on June 24, the four victims filed a complaint at the police station, prompting the two suspects to flee the temple.
Authorities obtained arrest warrants from Songkhla Provincial Court on June 27 charging Athichat with sexual assault against persons unable to resist, as well as sexual offenses against minors under 15 and 13 years old. Novice monk Chonkan faces separate charges for sexual abuse and indecent acts against minors under 15.
Police investigations revealed the suspects fled on June 25 using an orange Nissan vehicle with Songkhla license plate, initially heading to Nakhon Si Thammarat province where they checked into a resort. On June 26, they switched to a Mazda pickup truck and traveled to Khao Khom Forest Buddhist Temple in Tron District, Uttaradit Province, where they were finally apprehended on June 27.
