Chumphon Clergy Governor Calls for Review on Barring Monks from Other Temples

Khaosod•Society•17d ago

Reader Briefing

A dispute over barring monks from different temples from participating in funeral rites in Chumphon has prompted the acting provincial ecclesiastic governor to call for a review of the practice, stating it is overly harsh and outdated.

•A funeral ceremony at Wat Tham Phrutakian in Chumphon led to controversy when the abbot did not allow monks from Wat Khao Chedi to participate.
•The acting Chumphon Ecclesiastical Governor, Phra Kru Bandit Thammathada, stated the practice of barring monks from other temples is too harsh and needs re-evaluation.
•The governor plans to investigate the facts with local monastic authorities and the abbot of Wat Tham Phrutakian.

Overview

•A funeral ceremony at Wat Tham Phrutakian in Tha Sae district, Chumphon, caused online criticism.
•The abbot of Wat Tham Phrutakian prohibited monks from Wat Khao Chedi from ascending the altar for joint chanting, citing 'temple rules'.
•On May 13, 2026, Phra Kru Bandit Thammathada, acting Chumphon Ecclesiastical Governor, was interviewed.
•Phra Kru Bandit Thammathada stated that barring monks from other temples is 'too harsh' and the rules need review due to changing times.
•The Sangha will coordinate inquiries with local monastic supervisors, sub-district chiefs, and the abbot of Wat Tham Phrutakian.
•The Sangha will review the facts reported before determining further action.
•The acting governor suggested the situation might have arisen from the family inviting monks without consulting the abbot.
•Phra Kru Bandit Thammathada emphasized the need for flexibility and discussion, noting that many temples lack sufficient resident monks, making inter-temple participation common.

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Key Quotes

พระครูบัณฑิตธรรมธาดา

"If there is a rule prohibiting monks from other temples from jointly chanting, personally I think it needs to be reviewed because it seems too harsh."

ถ้ามีกฎห้ามพระต่างวัดขึ้นร่วมสวดจริง ส่วนตัวมองว่าต้องกลับมาทบทวน เพราะดูโหดเกินไป

Key Entities

Person

Phra Kru Bandit Thammathada(พระครูบัณฑิตธรรมธาดา)

Acting Ecclesiastical Governor of Chumphon Province who commented on the dispute between temples.

Luang Por Prung Chotiko(หลวงพ่อโปร่ง โชติโก)

A deceased revered monk whose disciples are associated with both Wat Tham Phrutakian and Wat Khao Chedi.

Place

Chumphon Province(จังหวัดชุมพร)ℹ️

The province in Thailand where a dispute occurred regarding temple protocols during a funeral.

Wat Tham Phrutakian(วัดถ้ำพรุตะเคียน)

The temple in Tha Sae district, Chumphon, where a controversy arose over barring monks from participating in a funeral ceremony.

Wat Khao Chedi(วัดเขาเจดีย์)

The temple whose monks were reportedly barred from participating in a funeral ceremony at Wat Tham Phrutakian.

Timeline

May 13, 2026(วันที่ 13 พ.ค.2026)

The date when the acting Chumphon Ecclesiastical Governor was interviewed regarding the temple dispute.

May 2026(พ.ค.2026)

The month and year of the funeral ceremony that sparked a controversy in Chumphon.