Monk’s deadly drive. A 21-year-old bride dies collecting rice in Buriram, just 26 days after marrying. The driver flees, kills a buffalo and abandons his Toyota. Her father-in-law catches him hiding near a latrine pit. Discarded liquor bottles raise concerns.
A Buddhist monk killed a 21-year-old newlywed in a Buriram hit-and-run, then fled, striking and killing a buffalo. Phra Dao, 55, allegedly mowed down Rujikorn Sammasida just 26 days after her wedding. A motorcyclist chased his battered Toyota for over 10 kilometres before the monk abandoned it at a temple. After two days on the run, police and 50 villagers cornered him in woodland. The victim’s father-in-law found him hiding near a latrine pit. Police arrested and defrocked him, while liquor bottles found in his quarters raised suspicions of drink-driving. The former monk denies drinking or realising he struck anyone. He now faces fatal negligence and hit-and-run charges, with further charges under consideration.
A 55-year-old Buddhist monk was arrested in Buriram on Thursday after a hit-and-run killed a 21-year-old newlywed and a buffalo. The monk, known as Phra Dao, struck the woman while she was collecting rice beside a village road.
He then fled, killing a buffalo in another collision before abandoning his badly damaged Toyota at a temple. Two days later, police and more than 50 villagers cornered him in woodland behind another temple. The victim’s father-in-law discovered him hiding inside an abandoned monk’s quarters near a latrine pit.
Officers subsequently had him defrocked and charged him with negligent driving causing death and fleeing the scene. Investigators also suspect alcohol involvement after discovering liquor bottles inside his accommodation. However, the former monk denies drinking and insists he never realised he had struck anyone.
Newlywed woman, 21, killed while collecting rice as fleeing Toyota driver sparks 10-kilometre pursuit
The fatal collision occurred at approximately 6 pm on Tuesday, October 27, in Ban Khok Charoen village, Buriram province. The scene was outside Wat Ban Khok Charoen in Ban Yang subdistrict, Mueang Buriram district. The victim was Rujikorn Sammasida, 21, known to relatives as Kimji. She had married on October 1, just 26 days before her death.
That evening, Rujikorn was helping relatives collect dried paddy rice beside the village road. The harvested rice had been spread out to dry before being packed into fertiliser sacks. As the family worked, a silver Toyota Corolla approached and struck her with considerable force. According to relatives, the impact threw the young woman more than 10 metres.
Rujikorn suffered critical injuries, including multiple fractures. Emergency workers attempted resuscitation before transporting her to Buriram Hospital. However, she subsequently died from her injuries. The Toyota driver had already fled, leaving witnesses and relatives attending to the injured woman.
A relative, identified as Khwanchai Rueangphaisan, 28, immediately pursued the Toyota on a motorcycle. He reportedly shouted repeatedly for the driver to stop. Instead, the motorist continued along the road without responding. The pursuit stretched for more than 10 kilometres through Mueang Buriram district before the vehicle was discovered abandoned.
Fleeing monk kills buffalo before abandoning damaged Toyota as police discover liquor bottles at temple
The Toyota was eventually located at Wat Si Sawang in Isan subdistrict. By then, its driver had disappeared. The front of the vehicle was badly damaged. Investigators also established that the Toyota had struck a buffalo during the escape. The animal belonged to a local resident and died in the collision.
Police consequently faced two fatal collisions involving the same vehicle. One had killed a young woman, while the second had killed livestock. Officers traced the Toyota to a Buddhist monk attached to Wat Si Sawang. He was identified as Phra Itthirit, 55, commonly known as Phra Dao Duangmala. Investigators established that he had purchased the second-hand Toyota for ฿27,000.
Officers searched the monk’s accommodation at Wat Si Sawang after discovering the abandoned vehicle. Inside, they found empty liquor bottles and unfinished food on a table. The discovery raised suspicions that alcohol consumption might have contributed to the fatal accident. Nevertheless, investigators still needed evidence establishing whether the monk had consumed alcohol before driving.
By this stage, Phra Dao had vanished from the temple. Police began tracing his movements, questioning witnesses and examining the damaged Toyota. Their inquiries established that he had previously resided at Wat Khok Charoen, close to the fatal collision scene. He had reportedly stayed there during an earlier Buddhist rains retreat.
Police and more than 50 villagers surround temple woodland as fugitive monk attempts to escape arrest
After abandoning his Toyota, the monk returned to Wat Khok Charoen seeking temporary accommodation. However, another monk recognised him and alerted local residents. Information about his whereabouts quickly reached community leaders and police. In response, investigators organised a search of the temple grounds and surrounding woodland.
At approximately 8 am on Thursday, October 29, Police Colonel Jamrat Siriliang led officers to Wat Khok Charoen. He is the chief of Mueang Buriram Police Station. Police Lieutenant Colonel Chamnan Chuang Krai, deputy superintendent for investigations, accompanied him. Police Lieutenant Colonel Suchat Wichasawat, an investigation inspector, also joined the operation.
More than 50 villagers and community leaders participated in the search. Together, they surrounded woodland behind the temple after receiving information that Phra Dao was hiding there. The monk reportedly became aware of the gathering and attempted to escape through the wooded area. Consequently, police and villagers spread out across the grounds.
The search continued for more than an hour. Officers and residents examined abandoned religious accommodation and nearby woodland. Eventually, Suang Keram, 54, the dead woman’s father-in-law, located the fugitive. He discovered Phra Dao hiding inside an abandoned monk’s quarters behind the temple.
Victim’s father-in-law finds fugitive monk hiding near latrine pit as villagers block another escape
According to Thai reports, the suspect appeared to be preparing to conceal himself near a latrine pit. Upon being discovered, he reportedly attempted to flee again. However, villagers intercepted him before he could escape. Police then took him into custody and presented an arrest warrant.
The arrest attracted a crowd of residents and relatives. Some shouted angrily at the monk, demanding an explanation for his failure to stop after striking Rujikorn. Others questioned his conduct following the fatal collision. Officers escorted him away while he was still wearing his Buddhist robes.
The arrest also ended two days of searching for the suspected driver. During that period, Rujikorn’s family had been grieving her death. Her father-in-law, who discovered the fugitive, later described the family’s ordeal to reporters. Mr Suang said relatives had endured two sleepless nights.
Rujikorn had married his son on October 1. Just 26 days later, she was dead. Her husband had therefore been married for less than four weeks when the collision occurred. Mr Suang expressed relief following the arrest but described the family’s grief over her sudden death.
Monk defrocked before police interrogation as suspect admits driving but denies drinking before crash
Notably, the victim’s father-in-law had played a direct role in capturing the suspect. He joined the search and personally discovered Phra Dao inside the abandoned accommodation. Villagers then prevented another escape before officers completed the arrest. Police subsequently transferred the monk to Wat Si Sawang for a formal defrocking ceremony.
More than 50 villagers gathered as officers brought Phra Dao to the temple. Some shouted accusations and demanded answers about Tuesday’s collision. The ceremony formally removed him from the Buddhist monkhood. Afterwards, police transferred the former monk to Mueang Buriram Police Station for interrogation.
During preliminary questioning, the suspect admitted driving the Toyota involved in the fatal collision. However, he denied consuming alcohol before the accident. He also rejected suggestions that he had knowingly struck Rujikorn and deliberately abandoned her. Instead, he claimed poor visibility prevented him from seeing the young woman.
The former monk told investigators that the liquor bottles discovered inside his quarters belonged to a lay friend. According to his account, the visitor had purchased alcohol and snacks while visiting Wat Si Sawang. He insisted that he had not consumed any alcohol himself. Police continued examining the discovery alongside witness statements and other evidence.
Former monk claims darkness concealed victim and parked vehicle forced him across road before impact
Separately, Phra Dao provided an account of his journey on Tuesday evening. He said he had been travelling from Wat Si Sawang to conduct an errand in Khok Charoen village. As he approached the accident location, he encountered a parked vehicle obstructing part of the road. He claimed that he moved into the opposite lane to avoid it.
The former monk maintained that visibility was poor because the incident occurred around dusk. Consequently, he claimed he had not seen Rujikorn beside the road. Furthermore, he insisted that he did not realise his Toyota had struck a person. He also claimed he was unaware that a motorcyclist had pursued him.
According to his explanation, he only learned later that a woman had been struck. He then decided to hide while gathering himself. During questioning, the former monk reportedly struggled to explain why he had fled. Nevertheless, he told investigators that he accepted responsibility following his arrest.
Police were not convinced by several aspects of his account. Investigators pointed to witness statements and other evidence concerning the collision, pursuit and subsequent disappearance. The damaged Toyota was also being examined. In addition, officers were investigating the second collision, which killed a buffalo during the driver’s escape.
Police investigate suspected drinking as villagers reveal monk previously left religious life over alcohol
The alcohol investigation remained another significant element of the case. Officers had discovered empty liquor bottles and unfinished food inside the monk’s accommodation. However, the former monk maintained that the items belonged to a visitor. Investigators were therefore examining whether alcohol consumption had contributed to the fatal accident.
Wanatchai Sombunchai, 35, a local resident involved in the pursuit, described the discovery of the bottles and food. He said the items had increased anger among villagers following Rujikorn’s death. The former monk continued denying that he had been drinking before driving.
Police also uncovered details about the suspect’s previous periods in the Buddhist monkhood. According to villagers, Phra Dao had been ordained on three separate occasions. His first period reportedly ended following problems involving alcohol consumption. He subsequently returned to religious life but left for a second time to marry.
Later, he entered the monkhood for a third time. He was serving as a monk at Wat Si Sawang when Tuesday’s fatal collision occurred. His previous history attracted attention following the discovery of liquor bottles inside his quarters. However, it did not establish whether he had consumed alcohol before driving.
Defrocked monk faces fatal negligence and hit-and-run charges as investigators reconstruct deadly escape
Following his arrest and defrocking, police initially filed charges concerning negligent driving causing another person’s death. They also accused him of failing to stop following the collision. That accusation covered his failure to render assistance, identify himself and report the accident to authorities.
Investigators are examining the complete sequence of events, beginning with the collision outside Wat Ban Khok Charoen. Rujikorn was collecting dried rice when the Toyota struck her. According to relatives, she was thrown more than 10 metres. Emergency workers attempted resuscitation, but she subsequently died at Buriram Hospital.
The Toyota continued without stopping. A motorcyclist pursued the vehicle for more than 10 kilometres, reportedly shouting for the driver to pull over. During the escape, the Toyota struck and killed a buffalo. The driver eventually abandoned the damaged vehicle at Wat Si Sawang before disappearing.
Police later traced the suspect to Wat Khok Charoen, where he had previously stayed. There, investigators and villagers discovered him hiding inside abandoned religious accommodation. His father-in-law’s discovery ended the search. Officers subsequently had Phra Dao defrocked before transferring him for prosecution.
Police consider further drunk-driving charge as former monk remains under investigation over fatal collision
As part of the continuing investigation, police are comparing the suspect’s explanation with witness accounts and physical evidence. His claim that he did not realise he had struck anyone remains central to questioning. Investigators are also examining his movements after abandoning the Toyota.
On another front, officers are considering whether additional charges should follow. Police indicated that drunk driving causing death could be added if alcohol testing established sufficient evidence. The discovery of liquor bottles alone does not establish intoxication during the collision. Accordingly, investigators are assessing that evidence alongside the former monk’s denial.
Business opportunity as devout Thai ice cream tycoon offers to sell everything to become a forest monk
Mukdahan Police await to find out if 11 year old boy who drove pickup killing 10 monks can be questioned
By Thursday, the 55-year-old had been arrested, defrocked and transferred to Mueang Buriram Police Station. His capture followed a search involving senior police officers, community leaders and more than 50 villagers. The victim’s father-in-law had personally located him near a latrine pit behind the temple.
Rujikorn’s husband was left widowed just 26 days after their wedding. His wife had been helping relatives collect rice when she was struck on Tuesday evening. The former monk now faces prosecution over negligent driving causing death and failing to stop after the collision. Meanwhile, police continue investigating possible alcohol involvement and the circumstances surrounding his two-day disappearance.
Join the Thai News forum, follow Thai Examiner on Facebook here
Receive all our stories as they come out on Telegram here
Follow Thai Examiner here
Further reading:
Suspected fraudster arrested for falsely claiming he has a young wife beneath the collapsed building
US scan shows 50-60 human beings said to be in a hallway within the collapsed Chatuchak building
