Kamphaeng Phet: Authorities conducted an inspection at a monastery in Kamphaeng Phet Province following reports of unusual practices involving the teaching of clairvoyance. A widely shared video clip, originally posted on the social media page "Kamphaeng Phet Page, Complain About Anything, Tell Here," depicted a monk instructing a girl to cover her eyes and predict numbers and colors during a meditation session. The post claimed that the forest monk's retreat in Tambon Salakbat was teaching these skills, labeling those proficient as the 'Goddess of Clairvoyance,' and called for an official investigation into these activities. According to Thai News Agency, the video clips showed various activities, including children attempting to guess numbers with their eyes covered, typing messages blindfolded, and even riding bicycles without vision. These activities led to speculation and surprise among attendees, who were led to believe in the training of "divine eyes and ears." The monastery reportedly attracted not o nly locals but also relatives and laypeople interested in developing these purported abilities, believing they could perceive hidden objects. On November 18, officials, including Mr. Wathan Chai-aphirak, District Chief of Khanu Woralaksaburi, and Mr. Phontep Phumphuang, Mayor of Salakbat Subdistrict Administrative Organization, visited the hermitage alongside public health officers and other relevant agencies. The hermitage, sprawling over 95 rai, housed four monks and four nuns, though the children featured in the controversial clips were not present during the inspection. The monastery's head clarified to officials that the controversial teachings were documented by a practitioner from a different province around five months ago. Upon becoming aware of the situation, the head claimed that all teachings of clairvoyance were promptly halted. The head further explained the presence of coffins used in certain practices, detailing that six contained bones and one held a complete body, donated by relatives with proper documentation. These bodies had been entrusted to the monastery for a period ranging from two to five years, with arrangements for merit-making or temple management upon the family's request.
