AYUTTHAYA, Thailand – A 66-year-old abbot accused of embezzling 92 million baht from a well-known temple in Ayutthaya was arrested on Thursday, along with a female aide who was seen having sex with the monk in security video taken in his quarters. Police at 6am raided the quarters of Phra Vajirayan, also known as Luang Por Chot, at Wat Phutthaisawan, an ancient royal monastery in tambon Samphao Lom in Muang district, according to Central Investigation Bureau commissioner Pol Lt Gen Natthasak Chaowanasai.

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The investigation began after a complaint was filed alleging that the abbot had misappropriated temple funds and handed the money to a female associate to disguise the funds under other people’s names, Pol Lt Gen Natthasak said. Investigators subsequently conducted a covert investigation and found evidence supporting the allegations, he added. Over a period of more than two years, the monk allegedly issued more than 20 donation certificates in the temple’s name without authorisation, causing total losses of more than 92 million baht. Many monks are considered state officials under the law as they receive monthly stipends from the government.

During the arrest, police examined closed-circuit television footage inside the abbot’s residence, in which they found video showing him engaging in sexual activity with a woman on a table inside his quarters. The table was also used for meals, police said. The woman was an aide who reportedly helped the monk manage the embezzled money, and police found that tens of millions of baht had circulated through her bank accounts each year. Punyavee Rungrueang, 47, was arrested on charges of abetting a state official in illegal activities, Pol Lt Gen Natthasak said.

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Phra Vajirayan was appointed abbot of the ancient temple in 2022 and was also widely known in the amulet trade for creating renowned Buddhist amulets, including the Nuea Duang coin, which was sought after by many devotees. After his arrest, Luang Por Chot was escorted to the temple’s ordination hall, where white robes were prepared for his defrocking ceremony. The suspect, now known by his former name Atichote Thammavaro, was then taken into police custody before being taken to the Central Investigation Bureau for further questioning.

-Thailand News (TN)