Ayutthaya ex-abbot denies embezzlement but admits romantic relationship
Former Wat Phutthaisawan abbot Atichot Dhammawaro and his partner Punyawee face a detention hearing in Saraburi today, as police list 2,000 seized items worth about 80 million baht. The story Ayutthaya ex-abbot denies embezzlement but admits romantic relationship as seen on Thaiger News .
Former abbot of Phutthaisawan Temple, 66-year-old Phra Wachirayan Wi, also known as Atichot Dhammawaro, and his partner, 47-year-old Punyawee, are under investigation for alleged embezzlement and money laundering in connection with a 92 million baht theft from the temple. Police seized over 2,000 items, worth about 80 million baht, including cash, gold, jewelry, and land deeds.
The former abbot formally left the monkhood after his arrest to facilitate the investigation. Police found evidence of their romantic relationship, including a viral CCTV footage, and searched Punyawee's house, where they discovered a substantial amount of assets. The former abbot denies the embezzlement allegation but admits to having been in a relationship with Punyawee for two years. Both suspects are scheduled to be taken to the Region 1 corruption court in Saraburi for detention.
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