Funeral Dispute: Abbot Bans Outside Monks From Altar; Petition Filed

Khaosod•Society•17d ago

Reader Briefing

A funeral dispute in Chumphon has escalated with villagers petitioning provincial religious authorities and the Office of Buddhism, accusing an abbot of prohibiting monks from other temples from participating in a chanting service, leading to calls for a neutral abbot.

•Villagers in Chumphon have lodged a formal complaint against the abbot of Wat Tham Phra Takian for preventing monks from Wat Khao Chedi from participating in a funeral chanting ceremony.
•The dispute stems from alleged monastic rules, with villagers seeking a neutral abbot to resolve the conflict between the temple and the community.
•Provincial religious authorities and the Office of Buddhism have received the complaint and are investigating the matter.

Overview

•On May 14, 2026, Mr. Viroj and other villagers visited Phra Kru Bandit Thammathada at Wat Koh Kaeo Dutthiyaram Sadit due to a funeral dispute.
•Villagers submitted a formal letter detailing an incident that occurred on May 12, 2026, at Wat Tham Phra Takian.
•The abbot of Wat Tham Phra Takian reportedly prohibited monks from Wat Khao Chedi from ascending the altar for a funeral chanting service.
•Both temples are affiliated with the lineage of the late revered monk Luang Por Prong Chotiko.
•The petition questioned the Sangha regarding Buddhist teachings and sought the removal of the current abbot and the appointment of a neutral one.
•The complainants also visited the Office of the Provincial Buddhism, Chumphon, to submit another letter.
•The Office of the Provincial Buddhism stated it would coordinate with the abbot of Wat Tham Phra Takian for clarification.
•Phra Kru Bandit Thammathada emphasized the interdependence of temples and villagers while awaiting a factual report.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Read on Khaosod (Thai Version)

Source: Khaosod (Original)

View Original Article

Key Quotes

Unknown Villager

"The temple and the village are in conflict. We request that you transfer the abbot of Wat Tham Phra Takian elsewhere and appoint a neutral monk to serve as abbot."

วัดกับบ้านเกิดความขัดแย้งกัน จึงขอให้ท่านนิมนต์เจ้าอาวาสวัดถ้ำพรุตะเคียนไปอยู่ที่อื่น และขอให้ท่านตั้งพระสงฆ์ที่เป็นกลาง มาทำหน้าที่เจ้าอาวาสแทน

Phra Kru Bandit Thammathada

"Temples and villagers must rely on each other; neither can exist without the other."

วัดกับชาวบ้านต้องพึ่งพาอาศัยกัน ขาดฝ่ายใดฝ่ายหนึ่งไม่ได้

Key Entities

Person

Mr. Viroj(นายวิโรจน์)

A 53-year-old villager from Chumphon and the brother of the deceased, who is a complainant in the funeral dispute.

Mr. Serm or Khui(นายเสริม หรือคุ้ย)

The deceased individual whose funeral chanting service is the subject of a dispute.

Mrs. Amonrat Jankrajang(นางอมรรัตน์ จันทร์กระจ่าง)

A representative of the Luang Por Prong Student Club, accompanying complainants in the funeral dispute.

Phra Kru Bandit Thammathada(พระครูบัณฑิตธรรมธาดา)

The acting provincial ecclesiastical governor of Chumphon, who received the complaint.

Luang Por Prong Chotiko(หลวงพ่อโปร่ง โชติโก)

An esteemed former revered monk of Southern Thailand, whose discipleship connects Wat Tham Phra Takian and Wat Khao Chedi.

Ms. Butsara Khaojaturat(น.ส.บุศรา ขาวจัตุรัส)

The director of the Office of the Provincial Buddhism, Chumphon, who received a complaint letter.

Phra Khru Sotthiyathikhun(พระครูโสตถยาธิคุณ)

The former temple head of Wat Tham Phra Takian, also known as Luang Por Prong Chotiko.

Place

Wat Koh Kaeo Dutthiyaram Sadit(วัดเกาะแก้วดุษิยารังสฤษฎิ์)

The temple where the acting provincial ecclesiastical governor of Chumphon was met to receive a complaint.

Wat Tham Phra Takian(วัดถ้ำพรุตะเคียน)

The temple whose abbot is accused of prohibiting monks from another temple from participating in a funeral chanting service.

Wat Khao Chedi(วัดเขาเจดีย์)

The temple whose monks were reportedly denied the right to ascend the altar for a funeral chanting service at Wat Tham Phra Takian.

Organization

Luang Por Prong Student Club(ชมรมศิษย์หลวงพ่อโปร่ง)

An organization whose representative accompanied villagers in filing a complaint regarding a funeral dispute.

Office of the Provincial Buddhism, Chumphon(สำนักงานพระพุทธศาสนาจังหวัดชุมพร)

The government office that received a complaint regarding a dispute between a temple and villagers over a funeral service.