Raid on Prominent Temple Compound Nets High-Ranking Monk with Over 1,000 Child Abuse Files
A high-ranking monk at a Bangkok temple was arrested May 20 after police seized over 1,000 child abuse files from his devices following a cyber tipline report.
At 8:00 AM on May 20, 2025, Deputy Police Commissioner Thatchai Pitaneelabutr, in his capacity as director of the Technology Crime Suppression Center, along with National Police Chief Siam Bunsomboon and other senior officers, coordinated a raid on a temple compound in the Thonburi area. Police arrested a 61-year-old senior monk with alleged connections to the temple, seizing a mobile phone, computer, and external SSD drive. The operation was conducted following reports received through the Cyber Tipline that child sexual abuse material was being downloaded and uploaded online.
Police obtained a search warrant from Taling Chan Criminal Court (Document 40/2569 dated May 20, 2025) to conduct the raid. Upon searching the suspect's devices, investigators discovered child sexual abuse material stored in downloaded file folders across multiple devices.
During interrogation, the suspect admitted to downloading the material, which involved explicit images and videos of 5 children totaling over 1,000 files. He stated he had acquired the content approximately 8 years ago for personal sexual gratification. Police subsequently revoked his monastic status and charged him with possession of child sexual abuse material for sexual purposes. He was transferred to Bangkoknoi Police Station for further legal proceedings.
