Thai court jails ex-monk for sexually assaulting a teenager

BANGKOK, June 27, 2014 (AFP) - A Thai court has jailed a former Buddhist monk for five-and-half years for sexually assaulting a teenage girl at his Bangkok temple, in the latest scandal to tarnish the image of the nation's clergy.

Sanan Kamsridaeng, 65, confessed to raping the girl -- who was aged under 15 at the time -- last year and detaining her against her will when he was still a monk, a Bangkok criminal court official told AFP.

"He was sentenced on Thursday to six years in jail for the first count... and five years for the second count. But because he confessed the judge cut his sentence to five years and six months," the official said.

He was disrobed after his arrest last year.

In recent weeks Thailand's national religion has faced damaging accusations linked to monks' behaviour, with high-profile scandals ranging from reports of monks taking drugs and drinking, to a case in May of five defrocked abbots charged with sexually abusing boys.

The National Office of Buddhism (NOB) has launched a hotline to report monks behaving badly, after the leader of Thailand's military junta expressed concern over the image of Buddhism.

The religion counts an estimated 95 percent of its 67 million population as devotees.

Napparat Benjawattananant, head of the office, said the hotline has received 142 complaints against unruly monks so far.

"But for sexual complaints we have to carry out in depth investigation," he said, adding monks found to have had sex should also face criminal charges.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-06-27

If only the Catholic Church would follow suit.

If only the Catholic Church would follow suit.

Well said Sir, and do not forget the B.B.C.

"The National Office of Buddhism (NOB) has launched a hotline to report monks behaving badly, after the leader of Thailand's military junta expressed concern over the image of Buddhism."

It appears to be a universal phenomena. Individuals who are aware that they have have psychological sexual perversions, in many cases pedophilia, believe that entering a religious order will cure them of their "condition". In many instances they are placed in situations where they are able to act out on those urges, to the detriment of young children who are conditioned to trust men and women representing spirituality and god.

It would serve everyone's interest if religious and spiritual institutions would do a better job of screening those desiring to enter their orders.

Sadly not all that uncommon. I personally know of a case where father had molested daughter over many years, she even had kid by him. He was given a choice: become a monk or go to jail. Can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

"The National Office of Buddhism (NOB) has launched a hotline to report monks behaving badly, after the leader of Thailand's military junta expressed concern over the image of Buddhism."

It appears to be a universal phenomena. Individuals who are aware that they have have psychological sexual perversions, in many cases pedophilia, believe that entering a religious order will cure them of their "condition". In many instances they are placed in situations where they are able to act out on those urges, to the detriment of young children who are conditioned to trust men and women representing spirituality and god.

It would serve everyone's interest if religious and spiritual institutions would do a better job of screening those desiring to enter their orders.

or better still let them be married already might lessen the frustration..if that dont work cut their jacobs off..

There’s always talk of this hotline to report the bad monks, but they never

give out the number.

Have a Nice Day.

this confession thing overhere means 50% directly discount + maybe a pardon from the king in the yearly lotto

"He was disrobed after his arrest'

And before it too.

Theres always talk of this hotline to report the bad monks, but they never

give out the number.

Have a Nice Day.

Thsi-style :-)

Where's the phone number?

set him free, but keep his nuts in custody.

A bit like the Catholic Church, deny the natural instinct of sex and this is what happens.

Off topic posts and replies have been removed.

Oh no, not another story "monks with dirty habits"

Thailand has a few islands around why not drop them off there to fend for themselves.