Suphan Buri Abbot Removed Following Allegations of Financial Mismanagement

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

The chief monk of Suphan Buri province has formally removed the abbot of a well-known temple after a wave of complaints from local residents, accusing him of serious financial mismanagement and failure to maintain the temple’s infrastructure.

On 8 May, around 50 villagers from Moo 9 and Moo 13 in Taphluang subdistrict, Nong Ya Sai district, gathered at Khong Bor Rae Temple to demand the removal of Phra Khru Samuh Chaturaphat Tissaro. They claimed that despite years of fundraising and donation drives, there had been no progress on restoring or maintaining the temple. Instead, the temple had accumulated debts amounting to several million baht.

Tensions escalated when approximately 50 supporters of the abbot also arrived, leading to a heated confrontation between the two groups. District officials, led by Nong Ya Sai District Chief Ms. Sarawadee Sonphueak and local police, were deployed to de-escalate the situation.

According to an official announcement issued by the provincial monastic council on 7 May (Order No. 1/2568), Phra Khru Samuh Chaturaphat was found to be unfit for his position. Investigations revealed that the abbot had authorised the demolition of key temple structures such as the ordination hall and sermon pavilion, while continuously soliciting donations through fundraising campaigns and online appeals, yet failed to show any tangible results.

The report also noted that he neglected multiple requests to meet with provincial clergy representatives, further fuelling suspicions about his conduct. A special inquiry panel at the subdistrict and district levels supported the recommendation to strip him of his title.

One local villager, Mr. Uad, who was among those calling for the abbot’s removal, said: “We have filed numerous complaints. He caused massive debt and allowed the temple to fall into ruin. Now that he has been officially dismissed, we want him out of the temple tonight.”

In contrast, Ms. Auat, 65, who came to support the abbot, described him as a devoted monk who had always worked for the temple’s development. “I’ve always donated here and never saw anything wrong. Forcing him out like this isn’t fair,” she said.

The matter was ultimately resolved after hours of negotiation involving local officials, monks, and Phra Khru Kasemsuwankhun, the acting abbot and subdistrict ecclesiastical head. It was agreed that Phra Khru Samuh Chaturaphat would vacate the temple within five days, allowing tempers to cool and both groups of villagers to disperse peacefully.

The situation highlights growing scrutiny over temple finances and accountability, particularly in cases where community trust has been eroded by long-standing grievances.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-05-10.