Acid Attack on Abbot of Wat Iam Prachamit: One Person Charged and Apologizes

Samut Prakan Police, Phra Samut Chedi Police Station, has charged one person with throwing acid at Phra Vinaithonbancha (Sawai) Punyatharo, the 77-year-old abbot of Wat Iam Prachamit (Laem Fa Pha Temple). The accused, Mr. Charlie (Kluay) Somwang, 44, apologized and asked for forgiveness from the abbot and his relatives.

The incident occurred on August 22, 2024, while the abbot was walking to collect alms with temple children. A middle-aged man approached him with a yellow plastic bucket, which the abbot thought was for releasing fish to ward off bad luck. However, the man suddenly poured the contents of the bucket over the abbot, causing him to suffer burns and aches.

The abbot quickly took off his clothes and ordered the temple children to pour clean water over him to rinse off the acid. He then rushed back to the temple to purify his body and went to the hospital to see a doctor. The doctor confirmed that the acid was a diluted corrosive chemical, and the abbot suffered minor injuries.

During the investigation, Mr. Charlie (Kluay) Somwang claimed that he was not involved in the incident and did not know the perpetrators, Mr. Knight and Mr. Lek. However, he later confessed to being one of the participants in the crime and apologized to the abbot and his relatives.

Phra Vinaithonbancha (Sawai) Punyatharo, the abbot of Wat Iam Prachamit, expressed his desire to know why the perpetrators committed the crime and hoped that they would realize the gravity of their actions. He also emphasized the importance of performing a ceremony to free themselves from karma.

The police are still tracking down the other two perpetrators, Mr. Lek and Mr. Knight, who are still on the run. The case is ongoing, and the police will prosecute all those involved according to the law.