A 58-year-old monk from a well-known temple rear-ended a 26-year-old woman's car and spoke with slurred speech resembling intoxication. A breathalyzer test revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 167 milligrams percent. He was defrocked before legal proceedings began.
On 12 Jun 2026 at 18:30, Lt. Chonmanat Riyapa, Deputy Investigation Officer of Mueang Chachoengsao Police Station, received a report of a car collision where the parties could not agree. The incident occurred on the curve descending from the Bang Pakong River bridge on Mahachakkraphat Road, Na Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chachoengsao Province, in front of the Siam Commercial Bank, Chachoengsao branch. Authorities went to inspect the scene.
At the scene, a bronze Honda Civic registered in Chachoengsao, driven by Ms. Niramol, 26, had damage on the side of the car. The other vehicle was a Toyota Vios sedan registered in Chachoengsao, driven by Phra Pramin, a 58-year-old monk from a temple in Mueang Chachoengsao District.
Upon inspection, authorities found that Phra Pramin was speaking with slurred speech resembling intoxication and was arguing with the other party and the victim's relatives about the cause of the accident. The monk insisted he was not at fault, claiming the victim’s car cut in front of him causing the collision.
Police reviewed footage from the victim's car dashcam and found no lane change before the collision. Phra Pramin began to speak incoherently, so police took him to Mueang Chachoengsao Police Station for a breathalyzer test. During the test, he repeatedly tried to blow without full effort, requiring multiple attempts. After staff explained the procedure clearly and asked him to try again, the test showed his blood alcohol concentration was as high as 167 milligrams percent, far exceeding the legal limit.
Authorities coordinated to take him to his temple for defrocking before proceeding with charges for drunk driving under the law. While leaving the police station, the monk still appeared intoxicated and tried to walk toward his car as if to drive away, but his disciple stopped him and drove instead to take him for defrocking. Phra Pramin refused to speak to reporters, shielding his face when questioned.
Ms. Niramol, the victim, said she was turning onto Mahachakkraphat Road when she heard a collision. She stopped to check but the other driver would not get out. When she approached, she was shocked to see the driver was an elderly monk. Attempts to discuss the damage were unsuccessful as the monk claimed she cut in front causing the collision. She then called her insurance company and contacted relatives to assist at the scene.
Mr. Panya, 44, the victim’s uncle, stated that upon arrival at the scene he clearly smelled alcohol on the monk. He suspected heavy drinking beforehand and tried to check vehicle documents and ask questions but received unclear answers, prompting him to ask police to conduct a breathalyzer test. The results confirmed a high blood alcohol level of 167 milligrams percent as he suspected.
Police have collected evidence and are prosecuting the former monk on charges of drunk driving and related offenses concerning the accident.
Around 20:30, reporters accompanied police and Phra Pramin to his temple for defrocking. While reciting the defrocking prayers, the monk still showed slurred speech, taking some time to complete. Afterwards, Mr. Pramin, now dressed in white layperson's clothes, greeted local people who had heard the news and previously offered him alms that morning. He then visited his 92-year-old mother, whom he had brought to live at the temple, where she was cared for in front of the main residence with a mosquito net and bed.
Mr. Pramin knelt to pay respects to his mother and helped her up to talk, telling her he had been defrocked and she need not worry. He then followed police to Mueang Chachoengsao Police Station to acknowledge charges, undergo arrest procedures, and await transfer to court on 13 Jun. Locals aware of the elderly mother said they would bring food to her the next morning but expressed concern about who would care for her going forward.
Locals said they were unaware of the former monk’s behavior before. He normally took alms in the morning and seemed fine, unlike someone intoxicated. Upon learning about the drunk driving accident, they came to see and admitted feeling disappointed after previously supporting him. They understood that the former monk had brought his elderly mother to live with him due to lack of caretakers, but they did not understand why he drank alcohol and drove causing an accident. Now they worry about who will look after his mother from now on.