Tiger Temple abbot denies all charges

Today, representatives for the Tiger Temple’s abbot have denied all charges filed against him by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Conservation (DNP).

Abbott Luangta Chan, aka Phra Visuthisaradhera, is being represented by former Bangkok MP Siri Wangboonkerd and lawyer Saiyud Pengboonchu. The two announced to the media that the abbot had no involvement with the dead tiger cubs or tiger skin amulets uncovered at the temple during last week’s raid by police, military and DNP officials.

Saiyud said the amulets were made by the abbott’s followers and he did not know or consent to them. He denied knowledge of all the tiger contraband, despite having a tiger pelt in his bedroom, according to Khaosod English.

All of the 147 tigers living at the temple were moved to a facility in Ratchaburi last week.

Luangta disappeared after the raid and reappeared today. He did not meet the media to tell his story, as he said he would, but instead was seen feeding some other animals still living at the temple, according to Thai PBS.

Siri informed the media that Luangta could not meet them and said he would be speaking on the abbott’s behalf. In defense of the abbot, he said the temple had no rituals to bless the amulets.

Saiyud said that the amulets, pelts and other items found in a truck being taken out of the temple were being taken followers that didn’t want to cause trouble for the temple or abbot. The abbott ran the temple since it was founded in 1994.

 

 

 


Reader Interactions

Leave A Reply


BECOME A COCO+ MEMBER

Support local news and join a community of like-minded
“Coconauts” across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

Join Now
Coconuts TV
Our latest and greatest original videos
Subscribe on