SONGKHLA, Thailand – Four young novices have fled a temple in the Hat Yai district following allegations of sexual assault by the abbot and an older fellow novice.
Jahrelanger Missbrauch hinter Tempelmauern
The four accusers lived as ordained novices at Wat Phu Pha Yatikaram, also known as Wat Nok Yung. According to their statements, the 41-year-old abbot, Phra Khru Bowornsornat Athichat Thanissaro, and an 18-year-old novice allegedly used a ruse to repeatedly compel them into sexual assaults. The accused specifically exploited their positions of power within the monastic hierarchy. The novices were minors at the time of the alleged acts and were particularly vulnerable due to their subordinate status within the temple.
Gemeinsame Flucht mitten in der Nacht
The teenagers could no longer withstand the pressure and secretly fled the temple together. They immediately approached their guardians afterwards and recounted what had happened to them. Subsequently, on June 24th, the parents filed a complaint at the Thung Lung Police Station. The families demand that the perpetrators be dealt with with the full force of the law.
Polizeichef ordnet unvoreingenommene Ermittlungen an
Police Major General Theerasak Chaiyotha, commander of the Songkhla Provincial Police, personally instructed the head of the Thung Lung Station, Police Colonel Chansarawut Saengarun, to handle the case without regard for status. Investigators interviewed the fleeing novices and witnesses from the temple’s surroundings. The collected evidence was sufficient to involve the Songkhla Provincial Court. On June 27th, 2567, the police requested a total of four arrest warrants for the two accused.
Vier Haftbefehle wegen schweren Kindesmissbrauchs
The court issued two arrest warrants for the abbot for rape under duress and sexual abuse of children. Two further warrants were issued against the 18-year-old novice Chonkan for the same offenses. At this point, the accused had already fled the temple. The abbot has turned off his mobile phone to evade geolocation.
Drei Fahndungsteams jagen die Täter
Three investigation units are currently involved in the search for the fugitives: the Thung Lung Police, the Songkhla Provincial Police, and officers from Division 6 of the Criminal Police. Investigators are tasked with locating the men as quickly as possible and bringing them before the court. The police emphasize that all legal steps against the two accused will be vigorously pursued. There has been no trace of the two men’s whereabouts so far.
Ausblick und Reaktionen
The police are continuing the intense manhunt to bring the accused before the court as soon as possible. Authorities stress the importance of an impartial and thorough investigation in this sensitive case.
Read more at Thairath.