A troubling allegation has shaken the monastic community in Phichit province after a forest monk visiting from Kamphaeng Phet was accused of abusing three young boys at Wat Krabangdin. The claims — now the subject of a police complaint and medical examinations — have sent ripples through the village of Thanang in Phon Thale district, prompting parents, teachers and locals to demand a full investigation and accountability.
The case began to come to light when a teacher at a local school noticed changes in students’ behaviour. Conversations among pupils hinted that a monk identified as Phet, who had been staying at Wat Krabangdin at the invitation of the abbot, Phra Kittisak, had been spending time with several boys from the community. According to reports, the abbot had allowed Phet to lodge in the lower quarters of the temple while he visited to consult with the abbot.
Allegations state that Phet invited the boys to the monastery under the guise of helping with chores — simple tasks such as sweeping and washing dishes — and developed a troubling pattern of conduct. Families say they took their concerns to Pho Thale Police Station and the affected children were taken to hospital for medical examinations. One parent said that a child later tested positive for an infection and required months of treatment. Authorities say the incidents reportedly took place in July.
To protect the victims, the boys’ identities have been anonymised in reporting. One 10-year-old, referred to as A, told investigators he had known Phet and was occasionally asked to do small jobs at the temple. He said he felt uncomfortable on at least one occasion and left the premises in distress. A’s 12-year-old brother, B, later disclosed multiple episodes of alleged misconduct that occurred while the group was in a durian orchard with other monks and children. That boy also received medical care for an infection related to the reported incidents.
Another child involved has not filed a formal complaint after parents expressed reluctance to pursue the matter. A school disciplinary teacher said the issue only came to light after overhearing students talking and then alerting parents. The teacher also noted that Phet had previously sought permission to teach Buddhism at the school but was refused because of concerns about his past behaviour.
The boys’ aunt, who initially allowed them to assist at the temple believing it would deepen their connection to Buddhism, expressed profound regret and distress. She has urged police to carry the case through to a thorough legal resolution. “We trusted the monastery,” she told reporters. “Now our children are harmed and we want the truth known and justice done.”
When approached by media, Abbot Phra Kittisak denied knowledge of any wrongdoing. He described Phet as an acquaintance — a fellow student in a master’s degree program and someone who had helped with minor maintenance at the temple, such as painting. “I did not know of these actions,” the abbot said. Phet, contacted by reporters, also denied the allegations during a phone interview. Local residents, however, expressed frustration at what they view as a defensive stance by the abbot and are calling for stronger measures if the allegations are substantiated.
The case has drawn attention from regional outlets, with KhaoSod and Amarin TV among those reporting on local demands for accountability. Some community members have suggested that if Phet is found guilty, the abbot should be reassigned or face administrative consequences for permitting him to stay at the monastery.
Law enforcement is investigating the complaint. Officials confirmed that medical examinations were performed and that the police report is being processed. Community members, while awaiting the results of the probe, are campaigning for transparent handling of the matter and support services for the children affected. One teacher noted that another child, who has not publicly reported an incident, is suffering severe emotional distress and might need psychological care.
Child protection advocates stress the importance of sensitive, rapid responses in cases like this: immediate medical care, trauma-informed counselling for victims, and careful legal procedures to preserve evidence and the privacy of minors. The incident has also renewed conversations in the area about safeguarding at religious institutions, volunteer vetting and the responsibilities of temple leadership when outsiders are accommodated on the grounds.
As investigators continue their work, local residents and school officials plan to follow developments closely. The families involved have asked for privacy but insist on justice for the children. The case serves as a grim reminder of how trust within tight-knit communities can be breached, and of the critical need for robust protections for young people who interact with adults in positions of spiritual authority.
Updates are expected as police complete their inquiries and prosecutors decide whether to press charges. For now, the community of Thanang waits for answers and for steps that will ensure the safety and healing of its children.
Photo credit: Amarin TV. Reported by KhaoSod.
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