PM Anutin’s gold pendant draws attention after abbot arrest
Thailand’s Prime Minister, Anutin Charnviralkul, owned a popular amulet produced by a senior monk, who was embroiled in a fraud and sex scandal, and previously praised the item as Thailand’s soft power. The former abbot of Phuthaisawan Temple, 66 year old Phra Wachirayan Wi, also known as Luang Pho Atichot Dhammawaro, was arrested today, September … The story PM Anutin’s gold pendant draws…
Legacy Thailand's Prime Minister, Anutin Charnviralkul, caught attention after the arrest of a former abbot of Phuthaisawan Temple. The abbot, Phra Wachirayan Wi, also known as Luang Pho Atichot Dhammawaro, was accused of misappropriating over 92 million baht from temple funds. Furthermore, he was involved in a sexual relationship with a temple worker, Punyawee, as evidenced by CCTV footage from his quarters.
Atichot formally left the monkhood and Punyawee was also arrested for questioning. It was discovered that some temple funds had been transferred into her bank accounts. The former abbot was known for creating numerous amulets, including the popular "Nuea Duang" amulet, valued at up to three million baht. Anutin, who was deputy prime minister and interior minister at the time, also owned a Nuea Duang amulet and wore it to work, displaying it to journalists to showcase Thailand's soft power.
The Nuea Duang amulet features Jatukham Rammathep, the guardian deity of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
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