Temple Overwhelmed By Abandoned Cockfighting Birds, Seeks Donations
A Phetchaburi temple is overwhelmed with over 150 abandoned fighting cocks and chickens left by cockfighting owners, forcing monks to seek donations for coops and feed.
Phetchaburi — August 14, 2025. Phra Khru Patcharasut Withan, abbot of Koh Kaew Suttharam Temple in Moo 4, Ban Lad Subdistrict, Ban Lad District, Phetchaburi Province, is appealing for help from donors to build chicken coops and provide food for the birds. The temple has become a dumping ground for defeated fighting cocks and other birds abandoned by cockfighting owners, resulting in over 50 fighting cocks and more than 100 regular chickens now living within the temple grounds.
The birds have been left to roam in front of the merit hall, creating unsanitary conditions and disrupting temple operations. The eleven resident monks must clean and sweep the area daily, and food expenses have grown steadily as the chicken population increases. Each day, the monks share leftover alms rice with the birds.
The abbot revealed that cockfighting owners regularly abandon their losing birds at the temple, sometimes throwing them over the fence. The temple now bears the full responsibility for their care. The abbot is calling on supporters to donate chicken feed or contribute to building proper coops to help ease the temple's burden. Those wishing to help can visit Koh Kaew Suttharam Temple or contact Abbot Phra Khru Patcharasut Withan for more information.
