Sisaket: A mother has come forward with a serious complaint against the abbot of a renowned temple in Sisaket Province, alleging that he lured her 8-year-old daughter to a temple bathroom and sexually abused her. The police have summoned the abbot to acknowledge the charges, but he has since been released and has not yet been disrobed.
According to Thai News Agency, the 39-year-old mother, concerned for her daughter’s safety and well-being, sought assistance from the Paveena Hongsakul Foundation for Children and Women. She reported that the abbot deceived her daughter into helping clean a bathroom near the school and then committed indecent acts on June 24. After discovering the incident, the mother immediately filed a complaint with Khukhan Police Station. A multidisciplinary team subsequently interviewed her daughter, who provided a detailed account of the events. Despite the police issuing a summons, the abbot was released and remains the sole monk residing at the temple.
The young girl recounted that after school, during a rainstorm, the abbot approached her, her younger brother, and another student. He instructed them to purchase mineral water and gave them a small amount of money. The abbot then directed them to assist with cleaning the temple’s bathrooms. While the abbot cleaned one bathroom, the girl was assigned another, and her brother and the other student took the third. It was during this time that the abbot entered the girl’s bathroom, closed the door, and instructed her to remove her underwear. When she was unable to urinate, he inappropriately touched her until her brother and the student intervened by knocking on the door, prompting the abbot to release her.
The mother stated that upon returning home, her daughter was visibly traumatized, exhibiting signs of distress such as sleepwalking. The following morning, the child developed a fever and was unable to attend school. In her absence, the girl confided in her grandmother, who immediately informed her mother, leading to the filing of a police report.
Ms. Pawina Hongsakul, President of the Pawina Foundation, has been actively involved in the case, coordinating with Pol. Col. Dechawat Somsuthai, Superintendent of Khukhan Police Station, to ensure a thorough investigation. The foundation is working to gather evidence to support the charges of abducting a minor for indecent purposes and committing indecent acts with a child under 13. Further coordination with Mr. Anupong Suksomnit, Governor of Sisaket Province, aims to expedite the disrobing of the monk to prevent further harm to the community’s religious integrity. The Pawina Foundation remains committed to following through with all relevant agencies to ensure justice is achieved.