PHITSANULOK – Police and local officials arrested a 60-year-old monk from a well-known temple in Nakhon Thai district after he was accused of molesting a six-year-old girl. The girl’s mother had taken her to sell fruit at a market on the temple’s grounds.
Before the arrest, he had gathered personal information about the family, then later followed them to commit a second offence. He now faces three serious charges and has been defrocked.
On 5 September 2025, police, members of the Internal Security Operations Command, the Ministry of Justice in Phitsanulok, the provincial Social Development office, district authorities, Buddhist office staff, and the girl’s mother worked together to arrest Phra Itthiphon Worapan (aged 60, with 22 years in the monkhood) at Ban Phrao Temple in Nakhon Thai.
According to a warrant from Nakhon Thai Provincial Court, he faces charges under Section 279 of the Criminal Code for committing an obscene act against a child under 15, whether the child consents or not, and using threats while the child could not resist.
Other charges include Section 282, for taking a child under 15 away for an obscene act, and Section 317, for taking a child under 15 from parents or guardians for sexual abuse.
The first incident took place on 4 August 2025. While the girl’s mother was selling fruit at the temple market, he approached the girl, befriended her, and invited her into his quarters with the promise of snacks.
He claimed to be concerned for her safety near traffic. When the girl was out of sight for a while, her parents searched the area until she reappeared. He said she needed the toilet, so he brought her into his quarters.
After this, the monk asked for more details about the girl’s family. On 16 August, he phoned the mother and found out they would be at another temple market. He then drove there in his car, tricked the girl into coming to his vehicle for a snack, and assaulted her again.
Later, the girl complained of pain, but her mother did not suspect abuse at first. On 2 September, the girl told her mother that the monk had kissed and bitten her genitals, causing pain, and threatened her by saying, “Don’t tell your mother or anyone, or I will beat you and stop loving you”.
Authorities launched an investigation and questioned the monk. He left the monkhood soon afterward, witnessed by the Nakhon Thai district head monk. He was then taken into police custody for prosecution. Social workers and police also took the child to a hospital for a medical examination, which will be used as evidence in the case.
Monks and Child Abuse
Most Thais look to Buddhist institutions for moral guidance, with over 90% of the population following the faith. Recent scandals have put these institutions under heavy scrutiny, especially after reports of abuse by monks.
Monks are supposed to live by strict Theravada Buddhist rules, staying celibate and free from cravings. Still, new reports have shed light on serious breaches of these teachings.
In 2024, a troubling case came to light in a small Thai village. A monk used his respected status to target children online, grooming and manipulating them for his own gain. He organized a group that shared abusive material, gathering 75 gigabytes of illegal content.
Police arrested him after raiding the premises and collecting evidence.
The following year, authorities in Phayao found two novice monks, both aged 13, who had been harmed physically and emotionally by an abbot. This led to nationwide anger and more calls to change how the monkhood is monitored.
Many of these young novices come from poor backgrounds, making them more at risk, while weak checks within the Sangha allow problems to go unseen. In response, the National Office of Buddhism increased background checks and improved training to help keep young novices safe.
Despite these efforts, public trust in monks continues to fall. Recent reports of sexual abuse, theft, and drug crimes have only added to doubts. Centuries-old respect for the monkhood now faces serious challenges as these issues come to light.
