BANGKOK — A scandal has rocked Thailand’s religious community as the abbot of the renowned Wat Rai Khing temple in Nakhon Pathom province has been arrested for embezzling 300 million baht (approximately $9 million) to fund online baccarat gambling activities. He also lent at least 40 million baht ($1.2 million) to his close female associate.
According to Police Lieutenant General Jirapop Phuridet, Commander of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), who announced the investigation results on May 15, undercover officers infiltrated Wat Rai Khing for nearly seven months following reports that Phra Dhammavajiranuvatara, also known as “Chao Khun Yaem,” had misappropriated substantial temple funds.
Investigators discovered evidence of money transfers from temple accounts to external personal accounts, amounting to over 100 million baht. The financial trail revealed connections to online baccarat gambling websites.
Authorities subsequently obtained a court arrest warrant for the abbot on charges of being an official responsible for purchasing or safeguarding property who misappropriated or dishonestly converted that property for personal use, being an official who improperly performed or neglected official duties, and being a state official who performed or neglected duties dishonestly. Under Thai law, temple abbots are considered officials.
After the court approved the arrest warrant on May 15, the abbot surrendered to authorities and provided testimony. By evening, he had willingly disrobed from monkhood. Investigators detained him for continued questioning throughout the night.
Police Major General Jaroonkiat Pankaew, Deputy Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, stated that the operation was originally scheduled for May 16, but the suspect surrendered beforehand after becoming aware of the investigation. This does not affect the case, which is supported by scientific evidence.
Authorities will expand the investigation to all involved parties and coordinate with the Supreme Sangha Council for further consideration.
Another suspect named in the arrest warrant, Ms. Aranyawan, was apprehended at a condominium in Pattaya. She confessed to supporting the criminal activities and admitted to knowing Phra Dhammavajiranuvatara since her school days at Wat Rai Khing school. After receiving the abbot’s kindness, she asked to borrow 40 million baht for investment purposes in 2021. She subsequently maintained regular contact through video calls to seek advice on various matters.
The investigation uncovered conversation clips between Phra Dhammavajiranuvatara and Ms. Aranyawan discussing the collection of debts worth 500,000 baht each on four separate occasions. Additionally, investigators discovered videos of the woman bathing on the former monk’s mobile phone.
