On February 27, 2024, a disturbing incident occurred at a Buddhist temple in Banbung District, Chonburi Province, Thailand.
Ek, a 49-year-old resident and regular visitor to the temple, launched a violent attack on a monk named Best, with whom he had previously had a friendship. Unfortunately, Ek’s behavior took a drastic turn due to the influence of methamphetamine.
Under the influence of the drug, Ek aggressively hit Best’s hand with a lamp before going to the main hall of the temple. Once inside, he wreaked havoc, deliberately toppling and breaking the Buddha statues that adorned the sacred space.
Despite Best seeking help from fellow monks who immediately contacted police, Ek barricaded himself in the hall and continued his destructive attack.
When the police arrived, they found Ek still on his destructive rampage, having sealed off all access points to the main hall. Almost all Buddha statues in the temple were shattered.
Despite repeated calls for surrender, there was no response. The situation took a grim turn when police forcibly entered the hall and discovered Ek lifeless in a pool of blood. A Buddha statue had impaled his chest and its sharp point pierced his lungs and heart.
It was theorized that Ek, in an attempt to destroy the largest statue, lost his balance and fell onto the sharp point of another Buddha statue.
The incident resulted in Ek’s quick death. Monk Best later expressed remorse and admitted to purchasing methamphetamine from Ek. As a result of this serious offense he announced his decision to leave monasticism.
The local media coverage provoked public reaction, with many seeing Ek’s death as karmic repercussion for the sacrilege of desecrating the temple.
