Bangkok: A former subdistrict chief has surrendered after allegedly shooting and injuring the abbot of a well-known temple in Chiang Khan District, Loei Province. The suspect, who fled to his hometown in Maha Sarakham Province following the incident, is now facing charges of attempted murder.

According to Thai News Agency, the incident involved Phra Athikan Manopporn, also known as Mr. Manopporn, the abbot of Phon Sawang Temple and the head abbot of Khao Kaeo Subdistrict. He allegedly shot Phra Maha Yothin, the abbot of Pa Phatthanaram Temple and the head abbot of Chom Si Subdistrict, causing injuries. The altercation took place at a temple in Chiang Khan District on August 4th, prompting the Loei Provincial Court to issue an arrest warrant for attempted murder and possession of a firearm and ammunition without reasonable cause.

Phra Khru Thaworn Thewatham, the abbot of That Subdistrict and Suan Thamma Thewarat Temple, was also present during the incident but managed to escape unscathed. The suspect, Mr. Manopporn, surrendered at the Maha Sarakham City Police Station due to mounting police pressure. He claimed that the confrontation stemmed from continuous harassment by the two monks over monastic management issues and other matters. He admitted to using a homemade .38 caliber twin-caliber pistol, purchased from a Laotian for 2,500 baht, intending only to fire a warning shot but inadvertently discharged the weapon twice before fleeing to Maha Sarakham Province.

Investigations revealed that Mr. Manopporn was ordained as a monk in Nakhon Nayok Province in 2018 and later became acquainted with a monk in Loei Province, which led to his appointment as an abbot in 2022 and subsequently as a subdistrict abbot in 2024. Despite his role as a developer within the monastic community, he has a history of theft-related offenses and was released from prison in 2014.