Bones for black magic rites found at Phrae temple
Onlookers & police flinched as a foul smell swept from the room. Inside, the monks room lay a pile of animal bones covered by a white cloth, together with bottles of alcohol & black magic ritual things.
Many animal bones are found hidden in the compound of a temple in Phrae province on April 30. (Photo by Thaweesak Sukkhasem)
RELIGION
Bones for black magic rites found at Phrae temple
30/04/2015
Thaweesak Sukkhasem
Angry residents expelled an abbot and another monk accused of performing black magic rituals after numerous animal skeletons were found inside their living quarters in Phrae province.
A large number of residents protested Thursday in front of Wat Kasong Nua in tambon Mae Lai in Muang district of this northern province to demand a dormitory search for Phra Pichet Watcharanakho, who was accused of allegedly using young animals and even human corpses to perform black magic rituals.
However, Phra Pichet and the temple abbot, Phra Noi Vorapanyo refused to allow people to search their rooms.
Police arrived to mediate. After the two hours of talks, the abbot agreed to let the protesters search his fellow monk's room.
After the door of Phra Pichet's quarters was opened, the residents and police flinched at a foul smell that swept from the room. However, no human corpses were found. But a number of pornographic CDs, bottles of alcohol and energy drinks and other materials used for performing rites were found in his room.
Shortly before leaving, the locals noticed a pile of something covered with white cloth in the living quarters. They were shocked to see numerous animal bones, including those of elephants and crocodiles.
Pradit Sasipattarakul, village chief of tambon Mae Lai, said the monk and abbot had not allowed any outsiders to enter their living quarters during the past two years, prompting people to become suspicious.
The locals later learned that Phra Pichet allegedly had used human and animal corpses for black magic rituals. Some residents had tried to see his room, but were expelled by the monk and the abbot, said Mr Pradit.
After the search, the two monks agreed to leave the temple, but authorities held them for questioning. If they failed to explain how they obtained the skeletons, they would be defrocked and charged, said the police.