Deputy abbot arrested for brutal axe murder

Deputy abbot arrested for brutal axe murder

The body of Wicharn Prommin (inset left) is exhumed at Wat Sri Boonruang in Udon Thani's Muang district on Monday. The victim was allegedly killed with an axe by a deputy abbot of the temple, Phra Songkran (inset right), who was later caught in Pattaya, Chon Buri. (Main photo by Yutthapong Kumnodnae)
The body of Wicharn Prommin (inset left) is exhumed at Wat Sri Boonruang in Udon Thani's Muang district on Monday. The victim was allegedly killed with an axe by a deputy abbot of the temple, Phra Songkran (inset right), who was later caught in Pattaya, Chon Buri. (Main photo by Yutthapong Kumnodnae)

The deputy abbot of a temple in Udon Thani has been arrested in Pattaya, Chon Buri, for the axe murder of a cattle raiser who demanded payment for a cockfighting bet.

Phra Songkran Chaiyasin, 41, deputy abbot of Wat Sri Boonruang in tambon Non Sung of Muang district in Udon Thani, fled after the brutal killing of Wicharn Prommin, 44, on Oct 20.

Police tracked him down to Pattaya, where he was caught on Monday, said Pol Maj Gen Peerapong Wongsamarn, chief of Udon Thani police.

The suspect was being returned to Udon Thani for legal action, Thai media reported on Tuesday.

Phra Songkran Chaiyasin, 41, arrested in Pattaya's Chon Buri. (Photo from Yutthapong Kumnodnae)

Wicharn's younger brother Chalermphon Prommin filed a missing person report with police on Oct 21. He said his brother, who farmed cattle, had left the house on Oct 20. He was last seen drinking with friends at funeral rites that night. 

Police investigators were then informed by a man who was a temple novice at the time that he had seen Phra Songkran kill the missing man.

The witness said he was playing a game in the temple living quarters on the night of Oct 20. Phra Songkran and two other men were also there, drinking alcohol.

Wicharn, who appeared to be drunk, had walked into the living quarters and asked the deputy abbot to pay him a gambling debt incurred from a cockfight. Phra Songkran ordered him to leave the living quarters, but Wicharn refused. 

The monk became angry and allegedly punched the man. He ordered his two assistants to also assault Wicharn.

The novice alleged the monk then ordered one of the two men to bring him an axe, which he used to hit Wicharn in the neck, head and face.

The witness said he and the two men were then told to dig a hole outside in the temple compound. The monk carried the dead body from the living quarters. They were ordered to put it in the hole, which was about 80cm deep. It was then covered with Phra Songkran's blood-stained saffron robe and the hole filled in.

The witness said he left the temple the following day and told his elder brother what happened. His brother took him to see police.

On Monday the body was exhumed. The victim had multiple wounds to his neck, head and torso. Relatives confirmed it was Wicharn.

Pol Maj Gen Peerapong said Phra Songkran's two assistants, identified as Mekhin Sotasri and Thanakorn Thipsing, were arrested. They implicated Phra Songkran in the murder. 

Phra Khru Suphat Boonsopha, abbot of Wat Sri Boonruang, said Phra Songkran had moved to the temple two years ago. He displayed roguish behaviour and often bullied people. The abbot also claimed Phra  Songkran had threatened to kill him, according to Thai media reports.

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