A complaint was filed against the abbot of a famous temple in Chiang Mai accusing him of inappropriate conduct with a maid in the temple quarters. The Buddhist office has summoned him for questioning. Initially, he denies the charges and has submitted a letter requesting to take leave from his duties due to health problems and to ensure transparency during the investigation.
Updates on the scandal in the monastic community arise after villagers filed a complaint against the abbot of a well-known temple in Nong Hoi Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Mai District, accusing him of inappropriate relations with a maid hired to clean the temple. A video clip from CCTV shows the maid and a monk in close contact on a bed, with the monk lifting his shirt and leaning over the maid. There are also images of the maid leaving the abbot’s bedroom multiple times at different occasions. The complainant claims all these involve the same abbot.
Those presenting the evidence and filing complaints with the media demand that the abbot renounce his monkhood due to his disgraceful behavior. Meanwhile, villagers supporting the abbot claim the allegations are a result of internal conflicts within the temple and are attempts to defame him.
On 20 May 2026, Ms. Aree Phanchan, Director of the Chiang Mai Provincial Buddhist Office, revealed that they have summoned the abbot for a discussion and initial questioning. The abbot denies the complaint, stating that the images circulated do not show him but another person. He explained that he is seriously ill and undergoes daily dialysis, making him thin, whereas the person in the footage appears heavier. He said it is up to the monastic supervisory committee to verify the identity of the person in the video.
In conversation, the abbot insisted he did not engage in such behavior. He said he is elderly and bedridden, requiring daily dialysis with no strength to do anything dishonorable as accused. Regarding the footage inside the quarters, he said he does not know how it was recorded since there are normally no CCTV cameras installed in the quarters. He suspects someone secretly placed a camera, as he usually stays in the hospital for four to five nights each month and leaves his quarters keys with other monks during that time.
Ms. Aree noted that currently, the abbot’s appearance does not fully match the person in the images, so the matter cannot be conclusively determined. She added that the three monks at the temple have similar physiques. Following the complaint,. . .the abbot has submitted a letter requesting leave from his duties due to ill health and to ensure transparency during the investigation. The provincial monastic committee will appoint another monk to act in his place.
The Chiang Mai Buddhist Office has formed a committee to investigate the facts fairly for all parties involved. The next step will be the monastic supervisory committee establishing a formal investigation panel, expected to take about one week. The abbot’s claim that the person in the video is not him and that he is being falsely accused is his right to state, but the final decision rests with the monastic supervisory authorities.