Thailand: temple emptied of monks and novices as police investigate an abbot after four novices report repeated sexual abuse

Proceedings

1. 2026-06-26 · active investigation ordered

   Thai police, Songkhla Province. On 26 June 2026 Police Major General Thirasak Chaiyotha ordered an active investigation into the temple's abbot after four novices, aged 13-14, reported being forced to perform sexual acts inside a hall used for sleeping and working at the temple on multiple occasions since January 2026, with a report that an older novice had separately directed similar conduct toward the younger boys. The investigation followed complaints filed by guardians after one boy fled the temple on 24 June 2026. The abbot initially denied the allegations and was reported unreachable by phone. The remaining six novices were relocated to another temple, leaving the facility without monks or novices. No charges had been filed as of the sources consulted; entered at active-investigation tier.

Documented coercion mechanisms

• the abbot's institutional authority over novices aged 13-14 resident at the temple
• use of a shared sleeping/working hall within the temple as the location where the boys were repeatedly forced into sexual acts