Two Novice Monks Drown in Chao Phraya River During Secret Night Swim

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

An incident has shaken a local temple community in Ayutthaya after the bodies of two novice monks were discovered floating in the Chao Phraya River early morning on 30 June, days after they secretly went swimming with a group of friends during the night.

At approximately 07:00, Pol. Lt. Manoch Ritthipul, investigative officer at Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Police Station, was alerted to the discovery of two bodies near the pier of Wat Phutthaisawan in Samphao Lom Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District. Police investigators, forensic doctors from Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital and rescue personnel from the Ayutthaya Ruamjai Association responded to the scene.

The bodies were identified as 15-year-old Novice Nitikon and 13-year-old Novice Krisada, both found bloated and clad only in their saffron robes. No signs of physical assault were observed on the bodies. Their deaths were initially treated as accidental drownings.

According to Mr. Uthis Boonchit, 64, a local resident who had been fishing on the opposite riverbank late on the night of 28 June, he witnessed some novice monks playing in the water near the riverbank but did not intervene. Upon hearing of the recovery of the bodies, he was convinced they belonged to the same group he had seen.

Mr. Anuroj Haruthaithip, 55, the temple’s lay caretaker at Wat Kasattrathirat Worawihan, confirmed the deceased novices had been residing and studying there for approximately two months. When the boys went missing, inquiries were made with their original temple in Bang Pahan District, but they had not returned there either. A missing persons report was filed with local police.

Initially, none of the other novices admitted to knowing their whereabouts. However, a breakthrough came when photos emerged showing a group of novices swimming together at the river pier on the night of 28 June. When questioned, six novices featured in the images eventually confessed to having snuck out for a late-night swim but claimed they had no idea when the two missing boys disappeared beneath the water. They admitted to staying silent out of fear of punishment.

Police have documented the scene and will conduct further questioning of the six surviving novices to clarify the sequence of events. The bodies have been transferred to the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Pathum Thani for a full autopsy to determine the precise cause of death. Relatives of the deceased have also been notified.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-07-01