Earlier this week, an audio clip of a woman berating a monk over him allegedly flirting with three women simultaneously went viral online. The rumours sparked an investigation, which led to a multi-hour interrogation of the accused abbot.
According to Siam Rath, the abbot in question denied the allegations of flirting with multiple women, but admitted to intimately texting one woman on Facebook. He decided to disrobe on 26 Oct to prevent further damage to the temple’s reputation.
Source: MGR Online
The clips allegedly show a woman confronting the 49-year-old Buriram province temple abbot inside his quarters. She claimed that he dated multiple women.
After the clip went viral, local authorities interrogated the abbot for two hours. He admitted that a woman, whom he claims was drunk, confronted him in his quarters. Although he denied ever having any sexual relations with the woman, he nonetheless admitted to sending her messages on Facebook that could be interpreted as flirting.
According to MGR Online, he also said he believes the woman had yelled at him in a drunken state because she was unhappy that he reprimanded her in regard to Buddhist teachings.
Source: MGR Online
Additionally, he rejected rumours that he had been dating three women at once.
He also said he believed the messages he exchanged with the woman on Facebook did not break any Buddhist precepts.
Despite his firm denial of the allegations, the abbot said he would accept any punishment the inquiry imposes.
Source: MGR Online
He announced he would leave monkhood on 26 Oct, the end of Buddhist Lent. He cited the reasons as preventing further damage to the temple and easing concerns among the local community.
An investigation is still ongoing.
Also read: Monk in Thailand spotted receiving massage from woman in viral video, monastery investigates
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
Featured image adapted from MGR Online.