A conflict between Phra Phromsuthi, the abbot of Wat Sa Ket, and assistant abbot Phra Phromsitthi, has been brewing, and stirring controversy on the internet, ever since Phra Phromsuthi barred the other monk from handling the temple's donations.
Phra Phromsuthi: Donation suspicions
It all began on July 20, the day Phra Phromsuthi chaired a meeting to plan activities marking the first anniversary of the death of Somdet Phra Buddhachan, a former abbot of Wat Sa Ket and acting supreme patriarch, on Aug 10.
Afterward, Phra Phromsuthi reportedly issued the order suspending Phra Phromsitthi and four other monks from their jobs.
Before that, five monks were responsible for handling donations received in return for the use of the temple's facilities.
The abbot believed these monks had been dishonest, especially with the portion of donations directly handled by Phra Phromsitthi.
The abbot is said to have lodged a complaint with Samran Rat police station, accusing the four monks of embezzling the temple's assets.
When Somdet Phra Buddhachan still was alive, Phra Phromsuthi was responsible for donations the temple received from people who invited monks from the temple to visit outside functions.
Phra Phromsitthi, meanwhile, handled donations received for allowing the public to use the temple's facilities.
Phra Phromsuthi, now 57, is from Ayutthaya's Bang Pa-in district. Phra Phromsitthi, 58, hails from Saraburi.
They had been friends since being ordained by the same monk as novices and began their education at the temple many years ago, where they grew up together.
Following Somdet Phra Buddhachan's death, Phra Phromsuthi, who earned a master's degree in sociology from the University of Pune in India and then served as a member of the Sangha Supreme Council, was selected to succeed Somdet Phra Buddhachan as the abbot of Wat Sa Ket.