Thai Buddhist Abbot Arrested over $2.8m Temple Funds and Sex Scandal
Police say 215 million baht in assets were seized as investigators probe whether donated temple funds were diverted into personal use.
- On Thursday, Thai police arrested Phra Wachirayan, the 66-year-old abbot of the 14th-century Wat Phutthaisawan in Ayutthaya, on charges of embezzlement and money laundering.
- Investigators began probing the abbot in mid-July after receiving anonymous tips alleging misconduct, as Buddhist monks in Thailand take vows of celibacy and renounce material possessions.
- Investigator Pattanasak Bupphasuwan reported that US$2.8 million from donations and amulet sales vanished, stating: "The money from both streams did not enter the temple's account—not a single baht."
- Authorities also arrested a 47-year-old woman accused of concealing the funds, following the broadcast of leaked security footage showing the pair in the monk's residence.
- This case is the latest scandal hitting the clergy in Buddhist-majority Thailand, prompting Central Investigation Bureau commissioner Nattasak Chaowanasai to promise an expanded investigation to restore public confidence.
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Monge was caught in images of video surveillance cameras having sex with a woman, also detained in the same investigation. Seized assets worth 5.6 million euros.
Buddhist abbot in Thailand arrested over embezzlement
Thai police yesterday said that they arrested a senior Buddhist monk on suspicion of embezzling US$2.8 million intended for his monastery, alongside a suspected female accomplice he was having sex with.The case is the latest scandal to hit the clergy in Buddhist-majority Thailand after a sex and ext
Thai police on Thursday arrested the former abbot of the Buddhist temple Wat Pchuttchaisawan Phru Vachirajan Wi. He is suspected of embezzling 100 million baht from the monastery's treasury (63.3 million crowns). After his arrest, he was stripped of his priestly office. A woman with whom he had sexual relations despite the monk's celibacy is also a suspect in the case.
Thai Buddhist abbot arrested over $2.8m temple funds and sex scandal
Thai Buddhist Monk Arrested in $3 Million Temple Case
AYUTTHAYA, Thailand — Thai police arrested a senior Buddhist monk and an alleged accomplice on Thursday, September 10, 2026, over the suspected diversion of about 100 million baht, or $3 million, from a historic monastery. Phra Wachirayan Wi, 66, was removed from the monkhood after his arrest. He had served as abbot of Wat Phutthaisawan, […]
He is also accused of embezzling temple funds. More...
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