Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Death saddens nation

Death saddens nation

Death saddens nation

The tranquillity of the Angkor temple complex was disturbed on Sunday, Nov. 14, when

the chief monk was brutally murdered with an ax in the pagoda next to the Bayon.

Four thieves tied up the guard at 11pm and then forced their way into the pagoda,

demanding money and gold. One of the monks, Nuol Muon, 60, was shot through the left

hand with an AK-47 assault rifle as he tried to stop them.

The robbers then broke into the room of the chief monk, 69-year-old Mak Sum, grabbed

a wood-cutting ax from the wall, and delivered several blows over the head and neck.

They fled an hour later with 40,700 riels and some Thai baht which had been donated

the day before. They also stole eight statues and other objects belonging to the

pagoda.

The monks took Mak Sum, bleeding profusely from severe head wounds, by motorbike

to the provincial hospital in Siem Reap where he died on Monday morning at 10am.

Regional Chief of Police, General Chea Sophat, said investigations indicated the

robbers came from nearby Nokokrao, a village 8km northwest of the Bayon, and that

Khmer Rouge were not suspected.

He said on Friday, Nov. 19, a clock stolen from the pagoda was recovered behind a

house in the village.

He described the murder as "shocking because in Cambodia everyone respects Buddha."

One long-time foreign resident told the Post the army had already found the gang

and punished them accordingly. Unwilling to comment further, he concluded: "They

won't be committing any more murders or robberies."

A moving funeral ceremony on Nov. 18 was held at the Bayon with the decorated coffin

held aloft as the cortege walked around the temple.

The coffin was then placed in the pagoda, festooned with flowers, incense and offerings

where it will lie for one year before the body is cremated.

The pagoda was filled with mourners for several days and the monks chanted continuously,

while people from Siem Reap and the outlying districts, many of them Mak Sum's students,

came to pay their respects.

"He was known and venerated throughout the provinces," added Nuol Muon.

The murder coincided with a number of festivals in the area, marking the end of the

rainy season.

Premier Prince Norodom Ranarridh arrived on Sunday, Nov. 21, and together with the

governor of Siem Reap, Nou Sam, attended the Kathen Tean, the clothing ceremony,

at the pagoda in front of the Royal residence.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • PM to open new Siem Reap int’l airport December 1

    Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese leaders would jointly participate in the official opening of the new Chinese-invested Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport on December 1. The airport symbolises a new page in the history of Cambodian aviation, which will be able to welcome long-distance flights to

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former

  • Minimum wage set at $204, after Sep 28 vote

    The minimum wage for factory workers in the garment, footwear and travel goods industries for 2024 has been decided at $204 per month, with the government contributing $2. Following several negotiation sessions, the tripartite talks reached an agreement during a September 28 vote, with 46 of 51 votes supporting the $202 figure.