Crime Brawl Between Monks Over Funeral Invitation Ends in Bloodshed & Expulsion from Temple

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin

 

Two monks at Wat Nantharam in Pak Phanang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, have been expelled following a violent altercation involving punches and a metal rod, which left one monk needing eight stitches to the head and the other with extensive bruising.

 

The incident occurred on 24 April in front of the abbot’s residence, where 70-year-old Phra Khiew and 60-year-old Phra Somboon, both resident monks, engaged in a heated dispute. According to temple abbot Phra Maha Phinyou, or Phra Khru Pariyat Wutthitada, the confrontation was triggered by a disagreement over accepting a funeral chanting invitation.

 

Witnesses say Phra Khiew initially struck Phra Somboon in the abdomen and torso with a metal bar approximately one foot long. Phra Somboon then managed to wrestle the weapon away and struck Phra Khiew on the head three to four times, causing two open wounds and profuse bleeding.

 

Rescue teams from Pak Phanang municipality and local police were called to the scene. Both monks were taken to Pak Phanang Hospital, where Phra Khiew received eight stitches to the head and Phra Somboon was treated for multiple bruises.

 

After being discharged, both monks filed complaints against one another at Pak Phanang Police Station, each accusing the other of assault. The police recorded the incident and will summon both parties for further questioning.

 

Phra Somboon later explained that the dispute erupted when Phra Khiew aggressively invited him to attend a funeral chanting session, using offensive language and insulting Phra Somboon’s parents. He claimed that he was struck first and acted in self-defence.

 

Phra Khiew admitted to speaking harshly, saying he had to raise his voice because Phra Somboon is hard of hearing, but denied instigating the violence. He too has filed a complaint with the local police.

 

Following the incident, the abbot summoned both monks and officially expelled them from the monastery. Phra Somboon has since left, although it is unknown which temple he has moved to. Phra Khiew has requested 10 days to gather his belongings before relocating to another temple.

 

The temple has since urged calm among its followers and reminded the public of the importance of decorum and discipline within the monastic community.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-04-26.

 

 

 

[JoePai]

I blame it on the heat this time of the year   😎

[Tropicalevo]

Sad but ironic

Isn't Buddhism a religion of peace and harmony?