Monk killed by drunk man in Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI: A man was arrested after a monk was punched in the face and died in Hang Dong district of this northern province on Saturday, Chiang Mai News reported.

Pol Lt Col Thongchai Uathae, a Hang Dong police investigator, said the incident occurred at about 4pm at a temple in the district. He identified the suspected killer as Den Lamnai, 44. He was arrested shortly after the monk, Phra Somboon Suriyamai, 60, was pronounced dead.

Asked what led him to attack the monk, Mr Den said Phra Somboon hit him first, and he punched the monk hard on the jaw in self-defence. After Phra Somboon fell to the ground, the attacker said he prostrated himself to plead for forgiveness and walked away from the temple. He found out later that Phra Somboon had died, he said.

A neighbour who wished to remain anonymous told the Bangkok Post that the altercation actually occurred much…