14-Year-Old Boy Allegedly Beaten by Monk and Vendor at Pattaya Temple Over Theft Accusations
PATTAYA, Thailand – March 10, 2025 – A 14-year-old boy was allegedly assaulted by a monk and a temple vendor in Banglamung district after being falsely accused of theft. His parents have since filed a police report seeking justice for the incident.
Incident at the Temple
On the evening of March 4, the boy’s parents, Mr. Nont and Mrs. Nan, received a distressing phone call informing them that their son, “Boss,” had been accused of stealing at the temple. When Mr. Nont arrived, he found his son being verbally and physically attacked by a monk, Phra Nikh, and a 50-year-old female vendor, identified as Aunt Khiewwan.
According to Mr. Nont, the two aggressively accused Boss of theft without specifying what had been stolen. Despite the boy’s repeated denials, they allegedly slapped him multiple times, attempting to force a confession.
Boy’s Account of the Assault
Boss, who had been staying at the temple in preparation for ordaining as a novice monk for the summer, later provided more details. He explained that after participating in evening prayers, he had been waiting under the temple hall to meet his friends when Phra Nikh and Aunt Khiewwan suddenly confronted him.
As he maintained his innocence, the situation escalated. Aunt Khiewwan allegedly slapped him, while Phra Nikh kicked him in the chest. Panicked, the boy ran away, fleeing through the temple’s back entrance and walking along a nearby railway track. A kind stranger eventually found him and took him to his aunt’s house in Nong Mai Kaeo, approximately 11 kilometers from the temple.
Fearful of his parents’ reaction and traumatized by the incident, Boss stayed at his aunt’s house for four days before his parents finally located him. Upon hearing his side of the story, they immediately took him home and filed a police report against the monk and the vendor.
Seeking Justice
Mr. Nont has firmly stated that his son did not steal anything and was wrongly accused and abused. Despite Boss’s denials, Phra Nikh and Aunt Khiewwan reportedly continued to insist he was guilty.
Now, the boy’s parents are pursuing legal action to hold both individuals accountable for their actions. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine if charges will be filed. Meanwhile, Boss remains steadfast in his claim that he was falsely accused and subjected to unprovoked physical assault.
