Thai authorities have arrested Phra Wachirayan Wi, a 66-year-old former abbot at Wat Phutthaisawan, a 14th-century Buddhist temple in Ayutthaya, on embezzlement charges. He is accused of misappropriating approximately 100 million baht ($3 million) in donations intended for the monastery across more than 20 separate occasions spanning two years. Police investigation revealed that funds from two distinct donation streams—one designated for temple renovations and another for sacred objects and amulets—were diverted from the temple’s official accounts entirely.
During a raid on his residence, authorities discovered cash and gold bars valued at over 100 million baht. Police also located video footage showing the abbot engaging in sexual activity, a violation of Buddhist monastic vows requiring celibacy. A 47-year-old woman identified as Punyavee Rungrueang was arrested as an accomplice on charges of aiding a state official in illegal activities. Investigators believe she assisted in managing the embezzled funds, with tens of millions of baht flowing through her bank accounts annually. Police recovered gold amulets, gold bars, and jewelry worth approximately 6.04 million baht from her residence.
The abbot was defrocked following his arrest. Lead investigator Pattanasak Bupphasuwan confirmed during a news conference that donated funds failed to reach the temple’s accounts. Authorities began examining the case following an anonymous tip in mid-July alleging misconduct and misuse of temple funds. Police indicate that two or three additional individuals may be implicated in the scheme.
This arrest reflects ongoing challenges within Thailand’s Buddhist institution, which has faced repeated allegations of monks violating celibacy vows, engaging in drug trafficking, and committing financial crimes. The case follows a similar incident just over a year prior involving multiple senior monks in a sex-and-blackmail scandal. Following that incident, police established a hotline for reporting “misbehaving monks” after discovering nine monks had been sexually exploited by a woman who subsequently attempted blackmail for approximately $12 million.
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