- A Buddhist abbot allegedly stole $9M from a Thai Buddhist temple
- Police linked the temple funds to an illegal gambling site
A Buddhist abbot at one of Thailand’s most prominent temples has been arrested on suspicion of embezzling the equivalent of more than US$9 million from the religious site.
Phra Thamma Wachiranuwat, 70, was head of the Wat Rai Khing temple on Bangkok’s western outskirts. Authorities accused him of misappropriating millions from the temple’s bank accounts and siphoning the money into an account he controlled.
From there, much of the money was transferred to an illegal online gambling network running baccarat games, authorities claim.
Monk Disrobed
Some local news outlets are reporting that Wachiranuwat has been disrobed, which isn’t uncommon for Buddhist monks who have been accused of criminal behavior. As such, they are using his lay name, Yaem Inkrungkao, in reporting. “Phra Thamma Wachiranuwat” was the man’s monastic name which he would have adopted on ordination.
The now-defrocked Inkrungkao turned himself in last Thursday when he learned of his impending arrest. He was charged with corruption and malfeasance on the same day, according to Royal Thai Police Deputy Commissioner Jaroonkiat Pankaew.
This (arrest) is to help purify our religion,” Pankaew explained during a Thursday press conference.
Temples in Thailand rely on income from “merit-making” ceremonies, where worshippers offer donations in the hope of gaining good fortune and better reincarnation. As the leader of one of the country’s most prominent temples, this proved to be a lucrative racket for Inkrungkao, according to police.
Faithful Buddhists frequently visit the temple to pay homage to the sacred Buddha image, as well as a reputed replica of the Buddha’s footprint.
Broker Arrested
Police have also arrested a woman, Aranyawan Wangthapan, 28, who is alleged to have acted as a gambling broker for Inkrungkao.
Wangthapan was previously detained last year for alleged involvement with an illegal online gambling website called Lagalaxy911 and was later released on bail, according to The Bangkok Post. She is believed to be linked to three companies that had laundered money through the website.
Cop Infiltrated Temple in Disguise
Thai Royal Police Captain Nitithorn Prachankanchana was sent undercover into the temple, where he posed as a monk attendant for 200 days. He performed menial tasks like tending to the grounds and sweeping floors while covertly gathering evidence against Inkrungkao.
On Tuesday, police said they were examining 49 bank accounts linked to the temple and were preparing to issue at least five additional arrest warrants for individuals involved with the temple’s finances.
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