Pictures courtesy of Khaosod

 

A Japanese man created a scene at a temple in Udon Thani, causing alarm among monks with his requests for spiritual cleansing.

 

Naoto Yamaguchi, 38, unexpectedly burst into Wat Sri Khun Mueang on December 25, 2025, shocking the monks with his pleas for spiritual cleansing from his sins. The police arrived, discovering marijuana paraphernalia in his possession but struggled to communicate due to language barriers. Yamaguchi later apologised for his behaviour.

 

The alarmed monks reported the incident to Udon Thani's 191 Emergency Call Center. This prompted a swift response from local police and tourist officers. Yamaguchi, a Japanese national with a record of theft, sought the temple's help due to guilt over past actions and admitted to using marijuana for stress relief.

 

After translation assistance, Yamaguchi revealed his use of marijuana after consuming alcohol and during stressful situations. He had smoked it the previous night. Upon searching, police found him in possession of marijuana and associated paraphernalia.

 

Yamaguchi had previously been involved in theft and was already on probation. Upon his apprehension, he was escorted to Udon Thani City Police Station to face charges of disorderly conduct. Before leaving, he apologised to the monks, bowing in respect.

 

Phra Apisit Khemin, one of the monks, mentioned Yamaguchi's familiarity with the temple, noting his capability to communicate slightly in English but mainly in Japanese. Although initially shocked, Phra Apisit was not frightened and sought police assistance to clarify Yamaguchi's intentions; he later understood that Yamaguchi desired a confession, as reported by Khaosod.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways

• Japanese national Naoto Yamaguchi disrupted a temple asking for cleansing.
• Police found marijuana paraphernalia on Yamaguchi, who was on probation for theft.
• Yamaguchi apologised to the monks before being taken to the police station.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Khaosod 2025-12-26

 

 

 

On 12/26/2025 at 8:36 AM, webfact said:

The police arrived, discovering marijuana paraphernalia in his possession but struggled to communicate due to language barriers. Yamaguchi later apologised for his behaviour.

That damned weed

Reminds me of the movie, "Godfather Part III"

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

That damned weed

Ya gotta wonder did he do something else that he was ashamed of like ...sexual relations with a soi dog ??

What a pile of horses**t.

Monks, this was your opportunity, just charge the guy 5,000 baht - sins gone...

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

That damned weed

 

The thing about weed is that it can amplify hidden emotions or psychological problems.

 

Some can use it. Some like this guy presumably better leave it.

 

Like the booze which is different in that it disinhibits and frequently leads to violence rather than repentance.

 

I prefer the repentant types myself.

2 hours ago, wavodavo said:

Ya gotta wonder did he do something else that he was ashamed of like ...sexual relations with a soi dog ??

 

It gave him distemper.

On 12/26/2025 at 8:36 AM, webfact said:

Japanese national Naoto Yamaguchi disrupted a temple asking for cleansing

Surprisingly to me, 

Buddhism is a major religion in Japan, with estimates around 46-49% of the population identifying as Buddhist. It could be that Naoto was overwhelmed emotionally by Thailand's active and wide spread Buddhism. Albeit under a little drug influence. No violence involved.

Sorry no foreigner sins accepted.