Picture captured from CCTV.

 

A senior monk in Buriram Province, has been defrocked following allegations of sexual misconduct against a 38-year-old woman during a meditation retreat. The evidence, including CCTV footage, led to the immediate decision by the regional Buddhist council to strip the monk of his religious status and close the meditation centre permanently.

 

Ms. Chalida Palamat, also known as “Ton Aor Pen Nueng,” accompanied the victim, referred to as Ms. A, to file a police report at the Nong Song Hong Police Station. The accused, Phra Wichai, 59, was the head of a private meditation centre in Lumphuk Subdistrict, Muang District, Buriram Province. Ms. A, who is married to a foreign national, claimed she was sexually assaulted by Phra Wichai during her retreat on January 15.

 

Ms. Chalida, who represents the Pen Nueng Foundation, revealed on her personal Facebook page that CCTV footage clearly showed the monk leaving the meditation centre dressed in layman’s clothes and entering a resort with the victim. Further evidence, including a voice recording of the monk allegedly telling the victim, “You won’t get pregnant,” strongly supported the accusations.

 

After presenting the evidence to the provincial monastic council, an emergency meeting was convened. The council unanimously decided to defrock Phra Wichai immediately. Additionally, the meditation centre was ordered to cease all activities, including fundraising, and was permanently shut down.

 

The police will summon the former monk for questioning and proceed with criminal charges. Ms. Chalida expressed gratitude to the authorities, including Police Colonel Anan Thongbunterng and Lieutenant Colonel Sanya Uthumporn, for their swift response. She also thanked the provincial Buddhist council and the National Office of Buddhism for their cooperation in handling the case decisively.

 

Phra Kru Pariyatti Dhammanites, Secretary of the Buriram District Monastic Council, stated that the monk initially denied all allegations but later confessed after being confronted with irrefutable evidence. He added that the meditation centre was operating illegally and failed to obtain proper authorisation from the National Office of Buddhism.

 

Ms. Chalida noted that she had already secured evidence prior to confronting Phra Wichai but wanted to observe how he would respond to the accusations. She vowed to let the legal process take its course and ensure justice for the victim.

 

-- 2025-01-19

 

 

Defile and thou shall be defrocked.....

23 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Further evidence, including a voice recording of the monk allegedly telling the victim, “You won’t get pregnant,”

Was that in hope or after the fact ?

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Was that in hope or after the fact ?

He knew where he put it.

Again due to huge number of monks in Thailand, the delinquent few managed to tarnish the reputation of the masses. I suggest that Thai authorities punish the guilty ones heavily for their misplaced trust of the public. Double whammy is a good start. 

3 hours ago, soalbundy said:

He knew where he put it.

Ahhh

put kids in charge of adult men with blue balls, in every country (look at the church), what could go wrong...

 

this one likes mature women

...No... 'Outrage!' ...(?)

...(Just Asking)..

The men of the cloth ....... again, irrespective of being Buddhist, Catholic or our bearded fidel friends from the dunes of the sand ..........

They need to face the music through a normal court in the country of where it happens; being a cleric means being a cleric and nothing else. Defrocking is not an issue for a horn*y woman chaser - trust me!