Villagers Rise Against Monastery’s Disregard for Ancient Temple

via the Thaiger, 18 September 2023: Villagers in Nakhon Ratchasima are protesting against a monastery that has ignored a government order to dismantle a structure built over the ancient Ban Luang Ta Kien stone temple, hindering local rituals and traditions.

The ancient site controversy began about a year ago when villagers complained to several government agencies that the monastery had built a building over the Ban Luang Ta Kien stone temple, commonly known as the Kok Prasat Temple. This construction hindered the locals from visiting and performing rituals, leading to a thorough investigation by multiple governmental departments.

On September 29, last year the Department of Fine Arts ordered the monastery to dismantle the religious building built over the stone temple. Despite the villagers’ joy and hope of reclaiming their ancient stone temple, no enforcement of this order has taken place nearly a year later. It was initially understood that the monastery had sought legal protection from this order until the court made a verdict or another order. Consequently, the villagers have once again united to demand action.

Source: Nakhon Ratchasima villagers protest against monastery for ignoring ancient site encroachment order | Thaiger