‘Thieving’ monks flee Kampot temple

Villagers have driven two senior monks out of a temple in Kampot province over allegations the pair stole donations worth thousands of dollars. Buddhist laypeople in Kampong Trach district started protesting for the removal of the two clergymen when money disappeared after a groundbreaking ceremony at the temple last week.
 

The temple’s lay commission had organized the ceremony to raise funds for new fences and buildings at the pagoda in O’Chraneang village. The monks were identified as Venerable Hun Phien, the head monk at the temple, and his deputy Venerable Chan Thoeun.
 

Mom Seng, an officer with Kampong Trach district police, said the total amount of cash taken was unclear, but locals say it ran into millions of riel, or thousands of dollars. They say the ceremony was well-attended and donations were made by senior officials from other provinces.  

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