Thai abbot arrested amid R28m temple donation probe and sex scandal

According to IOL, Thai police arrested a senior Buddhist monk on Thursday on charges that include embezzlement and money laundering after investigators said donation payments tied to his temple did not appear in its accounts.

Who was arrested and why

The arrested monk is Phra Wachirayan Wi, a 66-year-old abbot of Wat Phutthaisawan in Ayutthaya. Police also detained a 47-year-old woman accused of helping to convert and conceal donation money.

Donations and police findings

Investigators told reporters they identified two streams of donation money linked to receipts issued in the temple’s name: some 89 million baht donated for temple renovations and another 2.8 million baht linked to payments for Buddhist amulets and other sacred objects. Pattanasak Bupphasuwan, commander of the Crime Suppression Division, said the money from both streams did not enter the temple’s account.

Assets seized and next steps

Authorities said they seized assets worth about 215 million baht, including 16 kilogrammes of gold bars and jewellery and 28 land title deeds. Police said they are investigating which assets were personal property and which belonged to the temple.

“We will expand the investigation to identify other people involved and restore public confidence in Buddhism,” said Central Investigation Bureau commissioner Nattasak Chaowanasai, according to IOL.

Sex scandal and public reaction

IOL reports leaked CCTV footage of the abbot and the woman having sex on a table in the monk’s residence was widely broadcast on Thai media. The footage drew attention because Buddhist monks in Thailand take a vow of celibacy and renounce material possessions.

Temple background and aftermath

Wat Phutthaisawan is described by IOL as a prominent royal monastery with a large following that includes government officials, businesspeople, police and military personnel. The abbot, who was known for making amulets, was defrocked shortly after his arrest.

IOL notes this case follows earlier scandals involving monks, including a case last year in which a woman was accused of blackmailing monks and extorting monastery funds.