Former abbot, woman remanded in embezzlement case

A former abbot and his female associate accused of embezzling more than 100 million baht from a temple in Ayutthaya have been ordered detained for 12 days while police continue their investigations. Bail was denied.

Investigators on Friday escorted Atichot Thanprasert, 66, formerly known as Phra Wachirayan (Atichot Dhammavaro), and Punyavee Rungreung, 47, to the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases in Saraburi province.

Both suspects were arrested on Thursday under warrants issued by the court on Sept 8. The court said that given the gravity of the charges and the possibility that the suspects could interfere with evidence if released, bail was denied. Corrections officials later took the two suspects to Saraburi Provincial Prison.

Atichot, the defrocked former abbot of Wat Phutthaisawan, faces charges of money laundering, misappropriating property as a state official, and performing or neglecting duties unlawfully or dishonestly. Punyavee faces charges of aiding and abetting misappropriation and misconduct, as well as money laundering.

The two suspects appeared visibly fatigued and declined to answer questions posed by reporters outside the police complaint centre.

Financial irregularities

The investigation began after an anonymous complaint was submitted on July 15 alleging that the former abbot had an inappropriate relationship with Punyavee, who despite having no established occupation had accumulated substantial assets.

At a press conference on Thursday, police said their investigation found evidence that Atichot had engaged in sexual relations with Punyavee, which under Buddhist monastic rules constituted a parajika offence resulting in immediate defrocking.

Police then expanded their investigation into the temple’s finances and found that Atichot had received donations in the temple’s name but seemingly failed to deposit the money into the temple’s bank account.

Investigators found numerous records of money transfers and donation certificates issued to people who purchased amulets from the temple. Receipts were issued in the temple’s name for 22 million baht from amulet sales and 89 million baht in donations, but none of the money entered the temple’s accounts, they said.

Police also examined Punyavee’s financial transactions and found that she had acquired significant assets over the past two years despite having no regular income. These included two townhouses worth more than 4 million baht combined, a Toyota Fortuner and more than 5 million baht in bank deposits.

Investigators said some of the assets were registered in her daughter’s name in an apparent attempt to conceal ownership.

Police said the evidence indicated that Atichot and Punyavee may have conspired to launder money, causing financial damage to Wat Phutthaisawan.

Investigators subsequently obtained arrest warrants and searched six locations in Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Bangkok and Buri Ram for evidence.

Raids uncovered about 215 million baht in assets held by the two suspects, including 144 million baht in cash, 1,066 baht-weight of gold worth about 70 million baht, amulets and land-title deeds. Also seized were bank passbooks, a land sale agreement, health insurance policies and other documents.

Donors warned

Pol Lt Gen Natsak Chaochanasai, head of the Central Investigation Bureau chief, urged Buddhists to exercise caution when making donations to temples.

He advised donors to ensure that money is transferred only to bank accounts registered in the name of the temple and linked to the Revenue Department’s e-Donation system.

Donors should be particularly cautious if they are asked to transfer money to a monk’s personal account or to an account belonging to an individual or foundation instead of the temple, even if an official-looking donation certificate is provided, he said.

Police warned that donations intended to support Buddhism could otherwise be diverted for purposes unrelated to temples.

Police photo

‘Inauspicious’ table removed

Police also seized a round orange wooden table from Wat Phutthaisawan, which was used by the former abbot and his companion for sexual activity that was caught on CCTV in the monk’s quarters.

The temple committee considered the table highly inauspicious, saying it would be inappropriate for it to remain in the royal temple, and asked police officers to remove it and keep it temporarily at their office.

Its eventual disposal will be discussed by the relevant parties.