38 Jailed for Attacking Officials at Wat Bang Khlan

Khaosod•Society•2h ago

Reader Briefing

A Phichit court has sentenced 38 followers of the former abbot of Wat Bang Khlan to prison for attacking officials attempting to install a new abbot.

•A Phichit court sentenced 38 individuals, followers of the former abbot of Wat Bang Khlan, to prison.
•The defendants attacked the district chief and officials with stones, slingshots, and other items on July 13, 2023.
•The court handed down a sentence of 1 year and 1 month in prison and a fine of 45,000 baht, with a suspended sentence of 4 years.
•Two individuals were given a harsher sentence of 2 years and 4 months for additional charges.

•On July 13, 2023, officials including the District Chief of Pho Thale and village volunteers entered Wat Bang Khlan to install a new abbot.
•38 followers of the former abbot used stones, slingshots, air guns, glass marbles, and steel ammunition to attack the officials.
•The action of the followers was to obstruct the authorities and prevent the installation of the new abbot.
•Officials initially filed charges of trespassing and property destruction within the temple.
•On March 25, 2026, the Phichit Provincial Court delivered its initial ruling in this case.
•The court sentenced the 38 defendants to 1 year and 1 month in prison and a fine of 45,000 baht each.
•The prison sentence was suspended for 4 years, with a probation period of 2 years requiring 8 check-ins and ethical training.
•Two defendants (number 7 and 15) received additional sentences of 2 years and 4 months due to existing charges of assault, illegal detention, and property damage at Wat Bang Khlan, and are currently serving time in Phichit Prison.

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Phichit Court(ศาลพิจิตร)

The judicial body that issued the verdict in the case involving the followers of Wat Bang Khlan's former abbot.

Pho Thale Police Station(สภ.โพทะเล)

The police station where the District Chief and other officials filed a complaint after the incident at Wat Bang Khlan.

Department of Provincial Administration(กรมการปกครอง)

The government department whose official vehicle was damaged during the incident at Wat Bang Khlan and for which compensation was ordered.

Phichit Provincial Court(ศาลจังหวัดพิจิตร)

The court where the initial verdict was pronounced regarding the attack on officials at Wat Bang Khlan.

Former Abbot of Wat Bang Khlan(อดีตเจ้าอาวาสวัดบางคลาน)

The former spiritual leader of Wat Bang Khlan whose followers were involved in the incident.

Mr. Sumet Methipattanapiwat(นายสุเมธ เมธีพัฒนาพิพัฒน์)

The District Chief of Pho Thale who, along with other officials, was attacked by followers of the former Wat Bang Khlan abbot.

District Chief of Pho Thale(นายอำเภอโพทะเล)

The official who led the group entering Wat Bang Khlan and was subsequently attacked by the defendants.

Wat Bang Khlan(วัดบางคลาน)

The temple where the conflict occurred between followers of the former abbot and incoming officials.

Wat Hiranyaram(วัดหิรัญญาราม)

An alternative name for Wat Bang Khlan, the temple at the center of the dispute.