A Buddhist monk who led a prominent temple in Thailand has been arrested after CCTV footage appeared to show him having sex with a woman, amid allegations that £2 million intended for monastery renovations was embezzled.
Phra Wachirayan Wi, 66, was abbot of Wat Phutthaisawan, a 14th-century temple in the ancient capital of Ayutthaya. He was detained on Thursday alongside the 47-year-old woman, who is accused of helping convert and conceal the money.
The pair face allegations including embezzlement and money laundering. The monk was defrocked shortly after his arrest and has not commented publicly.
Thai media broadcast footage from a security camera which appeared to show Phra Wachirayan having sex with the woman on a table in his residence. Buddhist monks in Thailand are required to observe celibacy and renounce material possessions.
Police began investigating in mid-July after receiving an anonymous tip alleging misconduct and the misuse of temple funds.
Investigation into temple finances
Pattanasak Bupphasuwan, commander of the police Crime Suppression Division and lead investigator, said detectives had identified two streams of money connected to donation receipts issued in the temple’s name.
About 89 million baht, equivalent to £2 million, had been donated for renovations, while a further 2.8 million baht, or around £63,000, was paid for Buddhist amulets and other sacred objects.
“But the money from both streams did not enter the temple’s account – not a single baht,” Mr Pattanasak told a news conference.
Authorities have seized assets valued at about 215 million baht, worth approximately £4.8 million, including 16kg of gold bars and jewellery, as well as 28 land title deeds. Police are examining which assets were personal property and which belonged to the temple.
Nattasak Chaowanasai, commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, said: “We will expand the investigation to identify other people involved and restore public confidence in Buddhism.”
Wat Phutthaisawan is a prominent royal monastery with a large following among government officials, businesspeople, police officers and military personnel. Phra Wachirayan, also known as Luang Pho Atichot, was well known for making amulets, and Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul was reported to be among those who wore his creations.
The case follows other scandals involving Buddhist clergy in Thailand. Last year, a woman was arrested after being accused of blackmailing at least 11 monks with whom she had sex and extorting nearly $12 million from monastery funds.
Another monk, Luang Phor Alongkot, was also arrested last year over allegations of misusing donations intended for a hospice for people with HIV/AIDS. He denied any wrongdoing.
