Bangkok: Arrest warrants have been issued for the abbot of a prominent temple in Ban Phru Subdistrict, Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, and three senior novice monks, totaling four people, on charges of raping a novice monk inside the temple. An update on the case reveals that these individuals are accused of forcing four novice monks to perform oral sex, leading to their escape from the temple.
According to Thai News Agency, the four novice monks, who were studying at the temple, fled after the alleged incidents of sexual abuse. The abbot reportedly lured the novices to his quarters under the pretext of work, where he forced them to perform inappropriate acts, including scratching his back and applying powder, before demanding sexual favors. The senior novices are also accused of coercing the younger monks to engage in similar acts within the abbot's quarters.
The court has approved arrest warrants for the two primary suspects: Mr. Athichat, 41, the abbot, and an 18-year-old senior novice monk. The charges against the abbot include rape by using force against a person unable to resist and engaging in sexual intercourse with a child under 15 years of age. The senior novices face similar charges, with their victims being 12 and 14-year-old novice monks.
The police are actively pursuing the suspects for prosecution. It has been reported that the abbot has turned off his mobile phone and fled the temple following the police report filed by the guardians of the affected novice monks.