CHIANG RAI – A senior monk in Chiang Rai, who served as both abbot at a well-known local temple and secretary to the district’s chief monk, resigned from the monkhood earlier this month following several complaints.
His sudden departure surprised and saddened both the local community and fellow monks who had long respected him.
According to the district chief monk, the abbot was reported for three separate issues. The main complaint involved leaving the temple at night to drive around, which led officials from the provincial religious affairs office to suggest he step down.
On 6 August, he officially left the monkhood, though full details of the complaints weren’t immediately clear.
There were rumours of involvement with a woman, but the chief monk only learned about these claims after the resignation.
The temple’s lay manager explained that he was informed about three complaints, the first being repeated late-night driving out of the temple. The other two issues were not discussed in detail.
The former abbot admitted his faults and chose to leave the monkhood, accepting responsibility for all the allegations.
Later, villagers heard that the matter may have involved a woman, but no one could confirm the exact details. The former abbot had been at the temple since he was 20 and had taken on his role following the previous abbot’s passing, so news of his departure was a blow for many locals, especially older residents.
With no abbot taking over yet, locals and the temple committee have been keeping watch at the temple to maintain a calm and respectful atmosphere as they wait for the situation to settle.
