CityNews – A Buddhist monastery’s toilets built upstream from a waterfall was forced to be demolished.
Huay Pha Pu Buddhist Monastery in T. Pong Yaeng, A. Mae Rim has been alleged by local people of contaminating the water due to the toilets near the waterfall. The monastery comprises six permanent buildings and four restrooms which are merely 20 metres away from the waterfall. There is one monk, Theptanin Khoenpetch, and three laywomen living at this monastery. The case is supervised by Mae Rim Deputy District Chief and after investigating the area, the restrooms were ordered to be demolished.
However, on January 9th, the monk reported to police that he was a victim of wrongfully used power as the authorities put up a sign that contained a threat to demolish the monastery.
On January 16th the Mae Rim Deputy District Chief re-visited the monastery with Superintendent of Suthep-Pui National Park, Pong Yaeng Headman and community members to clarify the situation and ask for the cooperation as the villagers downstream were distress about the contaminated water.
The case resolved with the monk agreeing to cooperate and asked for manpower support from the villagers. The demolishment is agreed to be done by the end of the month.