A dispute reportedly triggered by a barking dog escalated into a physical fight between a Buddhist monk and a temple undertaker, leaving both men hospitalised in Nonthaburi, Thailand.
Police were called to a temple in Sai Noi district at around 7.30pm on October 29 following reports of a fight involving 65-year-old monk Chet and 53-year-old undertaker Somchat, The Thaiger reported.
Both men suffered injuries to their faces and heads. Municipal rescue workers provided first aid before taking them to hospital.
Chet told police the argument began after Somchat shouted at a temple dog that was barking and chased the animal away. The monk said he had only cleared his throat, which apparently angered the undertaker.
He alleged that Somchat appeared to be drunk, hit him with a wooden stick and threw stones at him, leaving injuries to his ear and head.
However, Somchat offered a different account, claiming their disagreement was actually over funeral arrangements after Chet told him there was no money.
He also maintained that the dog had been barking on its own and that the monk had done nothing to provoke it.
The undertaker, who appeared heavily intoxicated, acknowledged that he regularly drinks alcohol. Despite suffering an injury to his mouth, he accused Chet of grabbing his head and smashing it against the ground.
The temple’s abbot supported the account that the dispute began over the barking dog, saying Chet had tried to quieten the animal but it continued barking.
According to the abbot, Somchat threw objects during the argument, and police had already visited the temple earlier that evening following a dispute between the two men.
The confrontation later resumed, with both men grappling on the ground. The abbot said the monk slapped Somchat while the undertaker struck him with a wooden stick.
He added that Somchat lived at the temple and frequently got into arguments when drunk.
Police detained Somchat following the incident, while both men received medical treatment for their injuries.
