Villagers accuse abbot of having sex with woman outside his quarter

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT — 7 November 2026, Villagers have called on religious authorities to investigate an abbot accused of repeatedly having sex with a woman in broad daylight, including outside his own monastic quarters.

A resident from an area between Muang and Pak Phanang districts handed video evidence to reporters, seeking to expose the alleged conduct of an abbot at a rural temple belonging to the Dhammayut Nikaya sect.

The footage allegedly shows the abbot having sex with a woman believed to be around 40 years old in front of his living quarters. The two reportedly stopped when they realised someone was approaching, after which the woman quickly put on her trousers.

Villagers also provided still images that they said showed the abbot engaging in intimate acts with the same woman.

The resident who supplied the evidence claimed that the pair had engaged in similar encounters in open areas on several previous occasions. Villagers had reportedly witnessed the behaviour but had not managed to record it until the incident captured in the footage.

According to the source, the incident took place during the daytime on 20 October at a temple that had previously been abandoned. The abbot is reportedly in charge of another temple nearby and had said he intended to restore the abandoned site. A kathin robe-offering ceremony was held there several days ago, raising more than 300,000 baht.

The temple where the abbot serves is scheduled to hold its own kathin ceremony on 8 November.

Local Buddhists have urged relevant authorities, including the provincial, district and subdistrict heads of the Dhammayut clergy, to investigate the allegations and examine the temple’s finances. They expressed concern that funds raised through the upcoming ceremony could be moved or taken away if the allegations become public.

The villagers also alleged that the abbot had threatened people who knew about his conduct.