Thailand has arrested nine suspects, including seven monks, for allegedly embezzling more than 280 million baht ($8.2 million) in donations to a temple in Nakhon Ratchasima.
On May 5, police arrested Wutthima Thaomor, abbot of Wat Pa Thammakhiri temple in Nakhon Ratchasima province, northeastern Thailand, and prominent monk Kom Kongkaew and his sister.
Monk Kom and abbot Wutthima are accused of embezzling more than 180 million baht ($5.3 million) in donations. The two are believed to have withdrawn money from the temple’s bank account and transferred it to the account of monk Kom’s sister. Police found 130 million baht ($3.8 million) in her account and 51 million baht ($1.5 million) in cash at her home.
On May 9, police arrested five more monks and a driver after a raid found about 100 million baht ($2.9 million) hidden by the suspects. Cash, jewelry and amulets were found in several locations, including the monks’ private quarters. Some of the items were buried underground.
Thai police said that after being detained, Kom instructed the six suspects to hide valuable assets in the temple. Kom advised the group to use the embezzled money to buy jewelry.
Gold and jewelry seized by police during a raid on a temple in Nakhon Ratchasima, northeastern Thailand. Photo: AP
Monk Kom is famous for his sermons that attract many followers. According to locals, Wat Pa Thammakhiri has many wealthy followers who often come here in luxury cars.
Thailand's Criminal Court issued a statement criticizing the suspects' actions as "seriously damaging the reputation of Buddhism".
Several temples in Thailand have been embroiled in scandals involving monks. In 2017, notorious playboy monk Wirapol Sukphol was arrested in 2017 on charges of child molestation, fraud and money laundering. In November 2022, all four monks at a temple in central Thailand were taken to rehab after testing positive for methamphetamine.
Ngoc Anh (According to AP )
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