Young Monk Commits Suicide in Battambang Pagoda

CEOCambodiaNews · Post by **CEOCambodiaNews** » Mon Sep 21, 2020 9:03 pm

Cambodia News (Battambang): On September 21, 2020, at 11:30 pm, a young monk committed suicide by burning himself to death at Kandal pagoda, Sangkat Rotanak, Battambang city.

A senior monk named Keo Sompong said that he saw smoke coming from the victim's room, and the room was locked. So then, he asked people for help. After breaking into the victim's room, they saw that the victim was burning. The monks tried to put out the fire, but the victim was already dead. He had been studying at the pagoda.

After the incident, the chief monk called the police for examination, and it was determined that nobody else was involved in the incident. All those at the scene were deeply upset that the young man decided to take his life so tragically.

John Bingham · Post by **John Bingham** » Mon Sep 21, 2020 9:30 pm

What does the letter say? What a terrible painful way to die.

khmerhamster · Post by **khmerhamster** » Tue Sep 22, 2020 6:55 am

John Bingham wrote: ↑Mon Sep 21, 2020 9:30 pm What does the letter say? What a terrible painful way to die.

Reading Khmer handwriting is painful for me but a quick scan suggests that this isn't a suicide note as I initially thought. It seems to be a witness report of seeing the smoke and fire and trying to help.

CEOCambodiaNews · Post by **CEOCambodiaNews** » Tue Sep 22, 2020 2:42 pm

^^ It is a report of the event as written by the head monk at the pagoda.
Additional information fom the manuscript:
The victim is named as Hat Hak, 21 years old, from Prasat Bakong district, Siem Reap.

Tarndog · Post by **Tarndog** » Tue Sep 22, 2020 4:41 pm

So they've completely ruled out the possibility of it being accidental?

What about having candles lit to study in his room, he feel asleep, candle got knocked over, starting the fire, fill in the rest... If the letter isn't a suicide note, then I wouldn't immediately suspect suicide.

samrong01 · Post by **samrong01** » Tue Sep 22, 2020 6:32 pm

I agree with Tarndog. Committing suicide by burning seems highly improbable without an accelerant such as petrol. Tarndog's scenario is very plausible and he may have suffocated from smoke while asleep. The family must be devastated. A sad case.

Tarndog · Post by **Tarndog** » Tue Sep 22, 2020 6:41 pm

samrong01 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 22, 2020 6:32 pm I agree with Tarndog. Committing suicide by burning seems highly improbable without an accelerant such as petrol. Tarndog's scenario is very plausible and he may have suffocated from smoke while asleep.

Oh, Samrong, now I worry about you! To think that is one thing, but to publicly express it, here on CEO??? I want to officially and sincerely apologize to you, in advance, for all the hate, trolling, and blackballing you may likely see in the future.

My most sincere best wishes,
Tarndog

timmydownawell · Post by **timmydownawell** » Tue Sep 22, 2020 6:51 pm

I agree as well. Usually if someone kills themself by burning themself, it's to make a statement, and usually political. It's not something you'd do in the privacy of your (locked) room.

So yes, a lit candle or cigarette could have started the fire while he slept and you can be overcome by smoke without waking up. Poor kid, whatever the cause.

CEOCambodiaNews · Post by **CEOCambodiaNews** » Tue Sep 22, 2020 11:40 pm

Cambodia News, Battambang: On the morning of September 22, 2020, the police concluded that according to the family, the monk committed suicide by burning himself, due to a family crisis in his village in Prasat Bakong district, Siem Reap province.

Battambang City Police Inspector said that the young man bought some gasoline which he poured on himself before setting himself alight. He locked his door from the inside before committing the act. The brother of the deceased says that the victim was upset about family problems, but the problems are private.
The body of the deceased was to be cremated at Wat Kandal in a ceremony among the family and the monks.

John Bingham · Post by **John Bingham** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 12:15 am

Tarndog wrote: ↑Tue Sep 22, 2020 4:41 pm If the letter isn't a suicide note, then I wouldn't immediately suspect suicide.

The letter is a report of the event as written by the head monk at the pagoda. As you can read above your post.

Young Monk Commits Suicide in Battambang Pagoda

Young Monk Commits Suicide in Battambang Pagoda

Re: Young Monk Commits Suicide in Battambang Pagoda

Re: Young Monk Commits Suicide in Battambang Pagoda

Re: Young Monk Commits Suicide in Battambang Pagoda

Re: Young Monk Commits Suicide in Battambang Pagoda

Re: Young Monk Commits Suicide in Battambang Pagoda

Re: Young Monk Commits Suicide in Battambang Pagoda

Re: Young Monk Commits Suicide in Battambang Pagoda

Re: Young Monk Commits Suicide in Battambang Pagoda

Re: Young Monk Commits Suicide in Battambang Pagoda

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