Thai PM Anutin’s US$90,000 amulet back in spotlight after disgraced monk’s arrest

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has come under intense social media scrutiny after photos resurfaced showing him wearing a high-value amulet created by a senior monk now at the centre of a fraud and sex scandal.

The photos were taken in October 2023 while Anutin – then serving as deputy prime minister and interior minister – was leading a group of Bhumjaithai Party MPs to watch the hit horror-comedy The Undertaker, local outlet ThaiRath reported. Anutin publicly displayed the Thai Buddhist amulet to reporters, praising it as an example of Thai “soft power”.

The amulet in question is a rare 2006 Jatukam Ramathep gold edition from the collectible Nuea Duang (Elevating Fate) series, valued at around 3 million baht (US$90,700). Produced by Wat Phutthaisawan in Ayutthaya province, the pendant is prized among disciples and collectors who believe it brings good fortune, wealth and elevated social status.

The item returned to national headlines after the arrest of the temple’s abbot early Thursday morning.

Phra Wachirayan Wi, also known as Luang Pho Atichot Dhammawaro, was arrested on allegations of embezzling over 92 million baht from the temple, according to The Nation. Authorities also detained Punyawee “Ae” Rungrueang, a 47-year-old lay follower believed to be the 66-year-old monk’s romantic partner.

CCTV footage from inside the abbot’s private quarters showed the pair engaging in sexual acts on a dining table inside the temple compound, Bangkok Post reported. A group of the monk’s followers had given the videos to the police, saying they “could no longer tolerate his behaviour”.