Bangkok: The former abbot of Wat Phutthaisawan, known as "Sami Choti," has been taken into custody and is currently held in a cell, displaying signs of exhaustion and stress, while refusing to eat.
According to Thai News Agency, Sami Choti was detained along with his close female associate after an overnight interrogation session at the Crime Suppression Division headquarters. Clad in the white robes from his disrobing, Sami Choti sat motionless against a wall, declining the meal of rice with basil and a fried egg offered by the police. His female associate was similarly detained in a separate cell.
The arrest occurred in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, with Sami Choti being brought to the Crime Suppression Division's Division 1. The temple's treasurer, who was interrogated for over four hours as a witness, was subsequently released. Despite being provided with food and water at 7:50 AM, Sami Choti refused to eat, remaining tense and still from lack of sleep. His associate was observed lying down in her cell.
At 8:10 AM, two women, claiming to be relatives of Sami Choti, visited the police headquarters, denying knowledge of the incident and awaiting permission to see him. As the case progresses, Pol. Lt. Gen. Nattasak Chaowanasai, Commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, is scheduled to provide a press briefing at 11:30 AM. The authorities may decide on the detention of Sami Choti and his female associate today or tomorrow, adhering to the 48-hour legal detention limit.