Thai police have arrested a senior buddhist abbot and a close female associate for allegedly embezzling more than 92 million baht ($2.7 million) in temple funds and laundering the money. officers from the crime suppression division (csd) arrested atichote thammawaro:ear-old woman identified as Poonyavee, police said on Thursday.
According to Thai News Agency, Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) Chief Pol. Lt. Gen. Nattasak Chaowanasai revealed that the case began in July when an anonymous follower provided Crime Suppression Division officers with video clips and evidence of inappropriate behavior and financial embezzlement. Following a covert investigation that uncovered financial trails linked to individuals and a foundation, police issued arrest warrants today and plan to hold a press conference tomorrow.
Investigators discovered that the abbot fraudulently issued over 20 donation receipts in the temple's name over a two-year period, redirecting funds to his personal accounts and transferring money to the woman to conceal its origins. Footage recovered from security cameras inside the abbot's quarters also showed misconduct violating monastic rules.
Both suspects were apprehended under warrants issued by the Region 1 Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct, facing charges including embezzlement, misconduct in public office, and money laundering. Following the arrest, ecclesiastical authorities conducted a ceremony at the temple chapel to officially defrock the abbot, who acknowledged the allegations. Police said further investigations and questioning are ongoing.