Ayutthaya abbot arrested over alleged embezzlement and money laundering
AYUTTHAYA — 10 September 2026, Police on Thursday morning arrested a senior monk and abbot of a well-known temple in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province on charges including alleged embezzlement, abuse of official duties and money laundering, following an investigation into more than 92 million baht allegedly diverted from temple funds. At 06:00, officers from […] The post Ayutthaya abbot arrested…
Ayutthaya — On Thursday morning, police arrested the abbot of Wat Phutthaisawan, a prominent temple in Ayutthaya province, on charges of embezzlement, abuse of official duties, and money laundering. The investigation, which lasted more than two years, uncovered that the monk, Phra Wachirayan W., allegedly diverted over 92 million baht from temple funds for personal use.
The accused then allegedly passed the funds to a close female associate to conceal the assets, resulting in significant damage to the temple's finances. Police obtained a warrant from the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 1 on 8 September 2026, leading to the arrest at 06:00. During the arrest, CCTV footage was reviewed, revealing the abbot engaging in intimate conduct with the associate.
The associate, along with the monk, is being questioned by police, and further evidence is being sought at the temple. The abbot is also known for the temple's "Nuea Duang" amulets, which have gained popularity among devotees.
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