13-year-old novice rescued after repeated rape by temple abbot

A 13 year old Thai beginner sought help from his family after repeatedly raped by a pedophile Abbot from a temple in Nakhon Phanom, Isaan province. The victim is said to have kept the rape and sexual assault secret because she wanted to continue her studies at the temple.

The novice’s mother, 40-year-old Lawan, filed a complaint against the alleged rapist, an abbot named Boonsong, at Tart Phanom police station yesterday, July 16. Lawan also handed over a medical certificate to the police as proof of the sexual assault.

The novice victim told police that his family could not afford the school fees and so sent him to study at the temple as a novice. The novice said that Boonsong sexually abused him several times during his two-month stay at the temple, but he still wanted to stay to continue his studies.

According to the novice, Boonsong asked him to give him a massage at his private residence, forced him to perform oral sex, and later raped him. He could not tell anyone about the incident, but the sexual assaults became more frequent, so the novice told his mother.

Lawan told police she was shocked to learn of the sexual assault because her family members respected the abbot. He reportedly lived at the temple for over five years without any rumors that he was a rapist or pedophile.

Lawan admitted that although the incident was emotionally distressing to her, she wanted her son to continue as a novice. She wanted her son to have the chance to study at the temple.

Community leader Uthit Aoonchai told Channel 7 that Boonsong confessed to his crime and asked if he could compensate the novice’s family and continue to be a monk. However, the monks’ committee rejected his request due to his serious misconduct.

Boonsong said he raped the novice out of love and impulse. He also admitted to sexually assaulting the novice several times during his stay.

Boonsong was forced to give up his monkhood and taken to a local police station for further trial. He is charged with sexual abuse and rape of a person under 15, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

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