Thai monk denies sex, says woman helped with bottles.

 November 6, 2024

A 70-year-old Thai monk in Buriram province, identified as Boonsong, has denied allegations of sexual misconduct with a woman at a temple, claiming she was simply helping him count water bottles. The accusations were made by 53-year-old Preecha, who suspected the monk of having inappropriate relationships with several women. According to Preecha, he noticed suspicious behavior when Boonsong and a 40-year-old woman, a construction worker hired to build a crematory at the temple, entered a storage room together on October 6.

Preecha grew concerned and attempted to open the door of the storage room but found it locked. He then decided to set up a camera outside the room and waited for 30 minutes. When the monk emerged from the room, he appeared visibly sweaty and exhausted. The woman, however, did not leave the room with him and was allegedly seen hiding behind bottles of drinking water. Preecha’s suspicions led him to share his concerns with other locals, calling for further investigation into the monk’s actions.

The incident sparked local interest, with Preecha urging people to look into the monk’s behavior. However, after Boonsong moved to a new temple about 20 kilometers away, the issue seemed to fade. Preecha, feeling it was unfair for Buddhists to continue respecting a monk with such questionable actions, decided to bring the matter to the media. Despite sharing his suspicions, Preecha had deleted the video footage, leaving him without concrete evidence to support his claims.

In an interview with Channel 3, Boonsong defended himself against the allegations. He claimed that he did not engage in any sexual activity with the woman. Instead, he explained that she had been helping him count water bottles in the storage room. The monk further elaborated that the room was extremely hot and lacked a fan, which explained his sweating. He also stated that due to his age, he was no longer capable of engaging in sexual activities.

Despite the monk’s defense, the lack of evidence has led to no official investigation into the matter. The situation highlights the concerns surrounding the monk’s conduct, but without concrete proof, no further action has been taken. The public remains divided, with some believing the monk’s explanation and others questioning his behavior.

The case raised broader questions about the conduct of monks in Thailand’s religious community. While monks are highly respected figures, they are also expected to uphold strict ethical standards. Allegations like these put the reputation of the monastic community at risk, and the lack of conclusive evidence makes it difficult to determine the truth.

Ultimately, the incident remains unresolved, with both sides presenting their claims but no official action being taken. For now, the monk has moved to a new temple, and the matter has faded from public attention. However, the case serves as a reminder of the scrutiny that religious figures face, especially when their actions are called into question.

Source: thethaiger.com