Villagers accuse abbot of having sex with woman outside his quarter

Nakhon Si Thammarat — On November 7, 2026, villagers have called for religious authorities to investigate an abbot accused of repeatedly engaging in sexual relations with a woman in broad daylight, including outside his own monastery. A resident from the Muang to Pak Phanang district shared video footage with reporters, alleging the abbot had sex with a woman believed to be in her 40s in front of his living quarters.

The couple allegedly stopped when they sensed someone approaching, and the woman hastily put on her trousers. The resident provided still images showing the abbot engaging in intimate acts with the same woman. Witnesses had previously reported observing the behavior but were unable to capture it on video until the footage surfaced.

The incident allegedly took place on October 20 at an abandoned temple, which the abbot is in charge of and plans to restore. A kathin robe-offering ceremony was held at the temple days earlier, raising over 300,000 baht. The temple where the abbot serves is scheduled to host its own kathin ceremony on November 8. Local Buddhists have urged authorities to investigate the allegations and scrutinize the temple's financial records, expressing concern that funds raised during the ceremony could be moved or taken away if the allegations become public. The villagers also claim the abbot threatened individuals who knew about his misconduct.