BANGKOK, Thailand – The Thai monastic community was rocked by scandal as Phra Thammavachiranuwat (Yam Kittinangtharo), the Abbot of Wat Rai Khing and Ecclesiastical Regional Governor of Region 14, reported to the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) to assert his innocence amid allegations of embezzling 300 million baht from the temple’s funds. The meeting was attended by high-ranking police officials, including Pol. Maj. Gen. Jaroonkiat Pankaew and Pol. Maj. Gen. Prasong Chelermpun.
Authorities had been investigating the abbot following complaints that he siphoned temple funds for online gambling, particularly baccarat. Undercover agents were reportedly embedded at the temple for over eight months, confirming a pattern of suspicious transactions. The investigation revealed that money was transferred from the temple’s bank accounts to the abbot’s personal accounts, then sent to a woman who acted as an intermediary for a gambling website.
The financial probe found that from 2021 to the present, over 300 million baht was transferred from Wat Rai Khing’s accounts to the abbot’s personal accounts. Further examination uncovered connections to gambling websites with total money flows—both wins and losses—exceeding 500 million baht. As funds from the temple dwindled, the abbot reportedly borrowed millions more from other senior monks.
The woman alleged to be the gambling middlewoman was previously arrested in late 2024 for her involvement with the “LAGALAXY911” online gambling network but was released on bail. Investigators described her as a key financial operator for online gambling businesses.
Wat Rai Khing is a revered royal temple in Nakhon Pathom, with deep historical roots and strong public faith. Legal adviser Somsak Toraksa, a long-time disciple of the abbot, accompanied him to the police station and said he had never known the abbot to have a gambling problem. He emphasized that the abbot remained calm and had not yet formed a legal team, preferring to cooperate fully with the investigation.
Around noon, the Criminal Court approved an arrest warrant after reviewing the police evidence. Investigators are currently presenting the warrant to Phra Thammavachiranuwat to formally notify him of the charges. (TNA)
