PREPARATIONS are being made for services that will span four countries after the death of three Buddhist monks in a car crash.
The names released by police for the three victims were Aberdeen-based Phramaha Pranom Thongphaiboon, 43; Phramaha Kriangkrai Khamsamrong, 35, who spent six months at the Dhammapadipa Temple in Edinburgh before returning to the Sanghapadipa Temple in Cardiff; and Phramaha Chai Boonma, 36 – a resident missionary monk at London's Buddhapadipa Temple.
Yongyut Suayngam, of the Thai Scottish Association and speaking on behalf of the head monk in Scotland based in Edinburgh – Phra Rachabhavanavimol – said the community was devastated by the accident.
He said: "The Abbot of Aberdeen was a very kind gentlemen. All of the monks were well known in the UK and Thailand and very well respected."
The Aberdeen Abbot was the second most senior monk in Scotland behind the Edinburgh-based chief Abbot. He was planning to visit the Buddhist temple in Edinburgh on Christmas Eve and was due to return to Aberdeen on Boxing Day.
Meanwhile, a 75-year-old female died last night after being struck by a car in Aberdeen.
The collision took place just after 4pm on Queen's Road. Extensive diversions were put in place as accident investigators attended the scene.
l Relatives of brothers Adnan Habib, 10, and four-year-old Arsalaan, who were killed in a car crash on the M6 motorway in Staffordshire on Christmas Day, have paid tribute to their "happy and joyous boys".
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