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Court Jails 38 Disciples of Former Abbot, Fines 45K Baht for Attacking District Chief

Court Jails 38 Disciples of Former Abbot, Fines 45K Baht for Attacking District Chief

Matichon•Society•2h ago

Reader Briefing

Thirty-eight followers of the late abbot of Wat Bang Clan were sentenced to prison and fined for assaulting the district chief and officials with projectiles while attempting to install a new abbot.

  • •Thirty-eight individuals associated with the former abbot of Wat Bang Clan were sentenced by the Phichit Provincial Court.
  • •The defendants were found guilty of using rocks, slingshots, and other projectiles to attack the district chief, substitute district chief, and village volunteers.
  • •The incident occurred when officials attempted to install a new abbot at Wat Bang Clan.

Overview

  • •The case involves a dispute over the installation of a new abbot at Wat Bang Clan.
  • •Officials, including the District Chief of Pho Thale, attempted to enter Wat Bang Clan to install a new abbot.
  • •A group of disciples of the former abbot used rocks, slingshots, air guns, and steel balls to attack and obstruct the officials.
  • •The initial incident occurred around July 13, 2023.
  • •On March 25, 2026, the Phichit Provincial Court delivered its initial verdict for the 38 defendants.
  • •The court ordered each of the 38 defendants to serve 1 year and 1 month in prison and pay a fine of 45,000 baht.
  • •The court granted a suspended sentence of 4 years for the 38 defendants, requiring them to report 8 times over 2 years and undergo ethics training.
  • •Two defendants, identified as number 7 and 15, who are already incarcerated for other offenses, received an additional sentence of 2 years and 4 months imprisonment.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Entities

Organization

Court(ศาล)
The judicial body that issued the sentencing in this case.
Department of Provincial Administration(กรมการปกครอง)
The government department whose official vehicle was damaged in the incident.

Place

Wat Bang Clan(วัดบางคลาน)
The temple at the center of the dispute regarding the installation of a new abbot.
Pho Thale Police Station(สภ.โพทะเล)
The police station where the District Chief filed a report.
Phichit Province(จังหวัดพิจิตร)ℹ️
The province where Wat Bang Clan is located and the court case was heard.
Wat Hiranyaram(วัดหิรัญญาราม)
Another name for Wat Bang Clan, the temple at the center of the dispute.

Person

Former Abbot of Wat Bang Clan(อดีตเจ้าอาวาสวัดบางคลาน)
The deceased former abbot whose disciples were involved in the incident.
Mr. Sumet Methipattananpiphop(นายสุเมธ เมธีพัฒนาพิพัฒน์)
The District Chief of Pho Thale who was attacked by the disciples.
District Chief of Pho Thale(นายอำเภอโพทะเล)
The official who led the attempt to install a new abbot and was attacked.
Substitute District Chief(ปลัดอำเภอ)
An official who was accompanying the District Chief during the incident.
Village Volunteers(อส.)
Officials who were accompanying the District Chief during the incident.
Phra Khru Wisitsilaphorn(พระครูวิสิฐสีลาภรณ์)
The deceased former abbot of Wat Bang Clan, whose disciples are involved in the case.
Mr. Prakob Butnui(นายประกอบ บุตรนุ้ย)
Defendant number 1 in the case, one of the disciples sentenced to prison.
Mr. Amphorn Laemsen(นายอัมพร แหลมเสน)
Defendant number 7, already incarcerated for other offenses.
Mr. Wisut Piamsiri(นายวิสูจน์ เปี่ยมศิริ)
Defendant number 15, already incarcerated for other offenses.

Law

Case of Obstructing and Assaulting Officials, Trespassing, and Vandalism(คดีขัดขวางทำร้ายเจ้าพนักงาน บุกรุกทำให้เสียทรัพย์)
The legal charges brought against the disciples of the former abbot.