Ayutthaya: Authorities have raided the living quarters of former monk Choti at Wat Phutthaisawan as part of a significant reorganization effort by the monastic community. The temple is in the process of reclaiming its crematorium for public use. Concurrently, the Crime Suppression Division has inspected the former abbot's residence and assets, with plans to return the land to the monastic community and potentially unfreeze the temple's accounts containing 71 million baht.
According to Thai News Agency, the day at Wat Phutthaisawan in Sampao Lom Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, was marked by a lively atmosphere as locals and tourists visited the ancient ruins within the temple. The living quarters associated with Phra Choti, the former abbot, remain off-limits as police officers conducted a thorough inspection, bringing in equipment to document assets and financial records meticulously.
The inspection process is expected to be time-consuming due to the extensive property and documents involved. After completion, the dwelling area will be returned to the monastic community, with the Provincial Office of Buddhism and other relevant parties participating in the asset survey and inspection.
Progress has been made regarding the temple's 71 million baht bank account, previously frozen for financial investigation purposes. Recent reports suggest that no connection to ongoing investigations has been found, prompting the process to unfreeze the account and allow the temple to resume its financial operations.
Authorities are still examining evidence related to the case, with additional information about potential individuals involved being gathered and verified for possible legal action. Phra Phiphat Sasana Kitvithan, acting abbot of Wat Phutthaisawan, indicated that while the monastic community is involved in the asset inspection, the police are responsible for the ongoing investigation.
Simultaneously, the monastic community is undertaking a major reorganization of the temple grounds, including clearing the crematorium for public use and demolishing obstructive structures to restore the site's historical beauty in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province.