BANGKOK, Thailand – The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases sentenced the former abbot of Wat Rai Khing, widely known as “Tid Yaem,” to 50 years in prison on Tuesday for embezzling over 2 billion baht in temple funds.
The court found the first defendant, Mr. Yaem Inkrungkao, guilty of malfeasance as a state official, ruling that he abused his authority to divert temple assets for personal gain and to support associates. Four accomplices—including a close female associate known as “Sika Ken,” a former monk identified as Phote, and two others, “Mor Toey” and “Ja Chai”—were each sentenced to eight years for aiding and abetting the crimes.
The court denied bail requests for the defendants, citing the severity of the statutory penalties and a potential flight risk. All individuals were immediately taken into custody to begin their sentences. Following the verdict, the defense team announced plans to appeal the judgment.
The legal action followed a year-long investigation into financial irregularities at Wat Rai Khing. Authorities from the Crime Suppression Division discovered a pattern of continuous unauthorized transfers from temple accounts into the personal accounts of the abbot and his inner circle.
Despite the high-profile sentencing, the atmosphere at Wat Rai Khing remained calm on Tuesday. Visitors continued to pay their respects to the sacred Luang Pho Wat Rai Khing Buddha image. However, public sentiment remains charged; many temple-goers expressed dissatisfaction with the 50-year term, with some suggesting life imprisonment would be more appropriate given the scale of the financial misconduct and its impact on public faith in the clergy. (TNA)
