Monk Rapes and Blackmails, 11 Year Old Girl in Bangkok

BANGKOK – Metropolitan Police in Bangkok have arrested now Defrocked Monk Phra Sujin Thammatheepo, 56, at Bang Pakok Temple in Rat Burana district for allegedly raping and blackmailing an 11-year-old girl.

According to Khaosod, Sujin Thammatheepo reportedly told police he had known the victim for five years, but only started having sex with her in the past year. He told police they only had three sexual encounters, and that he always gave her money.

Sujin Thammatheepo has been defrocked and is facing charges of sexually assaulting a victim younger than 15, and possessing Category-5 drug.

Police say they also confiscated 15 grams of marijuana, four swords, and three BB guns from the suspect.

Meanwhile, Pol Maj Manop Khakhai, crime suppression inspector at Muang district police station in Nan province, led a team to arrest Phra Pornthep Rujirachantho at Huay Sompoi monastery.

The arrest followed a complaint by a 33-year-old woman that the monk had attempted to sexually abuse  her 12-year-old son and her 10-year-old nephew in his monastic quarters.

She alleged that the monk, who had arrived at the monastery only two weeks ago, had lured the boys into entering the novicehood to study the teachings of Buddha during the summer break.

She had allowed the boys to stay overnight at his monastery on Makha Bucha Day, on Wednesday, before their ordination. The monk had tried to sexually assault her son and her nephew that night, she alleged. The boys managed to flee unhurt.

According to police, Phra Pornthep admitted he had tried to molest the boys as alleged, but claimed he acted out of love and affection.

Police said an investigation found the monk was mentally deranged and previously sought treatment at a hospital in Chiang Mai. He was expelled from the monkhood and sent to hospital for mental treatment.