Phra Athiphat Akkhathammo, 40, deputy abbot of Wat Thungsri in Rong Kwang district was found dead in his room inside the temple compound ab 10.30am yesterday.

Police said he it appeared he used his saffron robe to hang himself. No traces of a struggle were found in the room.

The monk had played a key role in community development work. He set up a learning centre to encourage residents to learn local arts and culture and was pursuing his master's degree at Maha Chulalongkorn Ratchawitthayalai Buddhist College. Police said the monk might have been suffering from the stress of his studies as he often complained about his thesis proposal.