Pictures courtesy of Workpoint 

 

A violent incident occurred in a temple in Tha Yai subdistrict, Thung Song district, Nakhon Si Thammarat on 28 September, when a younger monk attacked an elder monk with a machete over a disagreement about seating order during chanting. The elder monk sustained a deep head wound and was rushed to hospital, while the attacker surrendered to police at the scene. The event caused shock in the local community and raised concerns about disputes within monastic life.

 

Police were alerted in the afternoon by a report of an assault in front of a monk’s quarters within the temple grounds. Officers from Thung Song police station, accompanied by rescue workers from Mitraphap Foundation, found the injured monk, identified only as Phra Phathorn, aged 70, bleeding from a 4 cm wound to the head. First aid was given at the scene before he was transported to Thung Song Hospital, where he is reported to be out of danger. A machete nearly one metre in length was recovered as evidence.

 

The attacker, identified as Phra Athiwat, aged 32, voluntarily remained at the scene to surrender. During questioning, he admitted to striking Phra Phathorn after a verbal argument that had been building over time. The dispute was reportedly over seating order during chanting, a matter connected to seniority in ordination, with Phra Athiwat taking offence that the elder monk sat in the second position despite having fewer years ordained.

 

Phra Phathorn told police he had no prior personal dispute but claimed Phra Athiwat had repeatedly provoked him and issued threats. He had sought mediation from the village headman, which apparently escalated tensions. Witnesses confirmed the disagreement had been ongoing and centred on perceived breaches of monastic protocol. Locals described the matter as “a minor issue blown out of proportion,” intensified by underlying personal tensions.

 

Police confirmed that Phra Athiwat is known to have a history of mental illness requiring regular medication and charges of assault will be pursued. The incident has prompted calls for greater oversight of disputes within temples and awareness of mental health issues among monks.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• A 32-year-old monk assaulted a 70-year-old monk with a machete over chanting seating order in Thung Song.

• The victim sustained a deep head wound and was hospitalised but is now out of danger.

• The attacker surrendered at the scene and faces assault charges, with mental health concerns noted.

 

Related Stories

 

Monk-arrested-in-Bang-Lamung-for-meth-and-ice-trafficking

Monk-by-day-burglar-by-night-meth-fuelled-theft-spree

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Workpointnews 2025-09-30

 

 

 

 

 

Again, and again and again!

Hope he recovers quickly.

What a nasty young man to do this to an old guy over a big nothing. 

 

 

On 9/29/2025 at 11:02 PM, Georgealbert said:

The attacker, identified as Phra Athiwat, aged 32, voluntarily remained at the scene to surrender.

 

Call the army and tell them to close all temples.