NAKHON PATHOM – A disgusted Buddhist abbot has put his temple up for sale for two billion baht, saying he can no longer tolerate the stench and dust coming from a nearby pet food factory.
Large signs have been placed along the road in Nakhon Pathom's Kamphaeng Saen district saying "Temple for sale at low price. The stench from the pet food factory is unbearable."
Luang Pu Buddha Issara, the abbot of Wat Or Noi, told reporters that the temple is definitely up for sale, as the sign said.
"The bad smell is from the pet factory, which is just 300 metres from here, and it is causing problems for monks and novices here," the abbot said.
The temple was founded in 1990 and has more than 200 rai of land. If the temple is sold all the money would be given to a foundation and he would go and practice dharma in the forest, he added.
Supoj Urjitsurakul, general manager of the pet food factory, said the factory already has two odour control systems and another one will be installed.
He said the equipment could not completely eliminate the stench but the factory would also try its best to reduce the amount of dust emitted.
"Monks from Wat Or Noi temple have visited the factory. I gave them a tour and showed them that we are really trying to improve things.
"I tried to contact the abbot, but he was busy so he sent the monks instead," Mr Supoj said.
Nopparat Benjawattana, director of the National Office of Bhuddism, said he believed Luang Pu Buddha Issara had no intention of actualy selling the temple, and justed wanted to get people's attention so that the problem would be fixed quickly.
Mr Nopparat has ordered provincial officials to investigate and collaborate with the relevant agencies to find a solution.