Report Demolition of Phetchabun Temple Building Sparks Outcry

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Khaosod

 

A Phetchabun temple faces criticism after hiring a backhoe to demolish a longstanding structure, leading to injuries during the protest.

 

On 3rd July 2025, a Facebook user posted videos showing a backhoe demolishing a building at a temple in Phetchabun, Thailand. The video depicts the destruction of the structure, leaving devotees, who adhere to strict religious observances, powerless to stop the actions.

 

The user described the demolition as a "violent act ignoring the law," taking place at a meditation hall within the temple grounds.

 

A second clip showed individuals in white robes, believed to be practitioners, trying to stop the destruction. During the altercation, debris fell, causing injuries.

 

The poster claimed that the abbot and the temple committee were responsible for hiring the machinery to dismantle the building, emphasising that many of the affected practitioners were women.

 

In a subsequent post, it was stated that the temple's committee continued to harass the practitioners, despite their ongoing peaceful clean-up efforts, suggesting mounting tensions and possible legal consequences.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Khaosod 2025-07-03

 

 

[AjarnMartin]

It would be helpful to have the location and name of the temple 😳 Phetchabun is a big province ‼️

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The poster claimed that the abbot and the temple committee were responsible for hiring the machinery to dismantle the building, emphasising that many of the affected practitioners were women.

Gender equality makes this issue meaningless.

[PETERTHEEATER]

1 hour ago, AjarnMartin said:

It would be helpful to have the location and name of the temple 😳 Phetchabun is a big province ‼️

Wat?

[chondan]

The temple is in Tambon Na Chaliang, Amphur Nong Phai.  Nong Phai is approx. half way between Muang Petchabun and Saraburi Province.  It was being put to good use for temple clients but the head monk wanted to build prettier things.  He ordered the back hoe to just go in and destroy it.

[chondan]

3 hours ago, AjarnMartin said:

It would be helpful to have the location and name of the temple 😳 Phetchabun is a big province ‼️

Tambon Na Chalieng, Amphur Nong Phai.  Just south of Amphur Sri Thep.  Rong Bong temple.

[chondan]

3 hours ago, AjarnMartin said:

It would be helpful to have the location and name of the temple 😳 Phetchabun is a big province ‼️

Aj. Martin are you currently teaching in Petchabun?  I lived in Petchabun for 8 years.