A monk and novice surrendered to police after lighting fireworks that burned the necklace of the Phaya Srisattanakharat statue in Nakhon Phanom. They said they only wanted to make an offering. Police charged them with negligence causing damage to others' property due to carelessness causing damage.
On 29 Oct 2026, reporters reported that at Mueang Nakhon Phanom Police Station, a 50-year-old monk from a temple in Nong Bua Lamphu Province, along with a 17-year-old novice, turned themselves in to police. They had driven a red pickup truck to set off fireworks, which sparked a fire that burned the necklace of the Phaya Srisattanakharat statue along the Mekong River. The incident occurred around 04:00 on 28 Oct 2026. CCTV clearly recorded the pickup truck fleeing the scene.
Inspection found the Phaya Srisattanakharat statue, cast entirely in brass, was undamaged except for black smoke residue. However, the necklace was burned and damaged. The monk and novice tearfully confessed their actions were due to ignorance, without any intention of disrespect.
Police Colonel Thanachit Sukphatnanarakul, superintendent of Mueang Nakhon Phanom Police Station, together with Chokdee Mungkhalakhiri, deputy mayor of Nakhon Phanom Municipality, and representatives from the Phaya Srisattanakharat Foundation, brought the monk and novice to the landmark plaza to perform a traditional apology ceremony. The municipality arranged offerings for blessing, sent staff to clean the smoke residue, prepared a new necklace to replace the damaged one, and set stricter measures to prevent recurrence.
The monk revealed that he and the novice came to pay respects to sacred objects during the Loy Krathong festival. The novice lit fireworks hoping to offer them to Phaya Srisattanakharat. They did not expect sparks to land on the necklace and cause the fire. Frightened and fearing punishment, they fled by vehicle. After calming down and seeing the news, they decided to surrender and show sincerity, affirming it was an accident and they accept full responsibility.
The foundation committee of Phaya Srisattanakharat stated that after discussion, they decided not to press charges, seeing it as an accidental act due to ignorance without ill intent. However, Police Colonel Thanachit confirmed it is a criminal offense of negligence causing damage to others' property. The investigation will gather evidence and proceed with legal action accordingly.
