The Anti-Corruption Police issued summonses to the former abbot and secretary of Wat Bang Khlan to come forward and acknowledge charges after uncovering embezzlement from sales of the Luang Pho Ngern retro-historical amulet. Both initially deny the allegations of wrongdoing.
At 10:00 a.m. on 27 Apr 2026 at the Anti-Corruption and Misconduct Suppression Division (ACD), Phra Kru Phisuttiwarakorn, former abbot of Wat Hiranyaram or Wat Bang Khlan in Bang Khlan Subdistrict, Phothale District, Phichit Province, and Mr. Porn Punpeng, 73, former temple secretary, met with Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pankaew, Deputy Commander of the Crime Suppression Division, Pol Maj Gen Prasong Chalapan, Commander of the ACD, and investigators from Section 4 of the ACD. They were informed of charges under the Criminal Code Sections 147 and 157 for officials who misappropriate property entrusted to them and for dereliction of duty causing damage through corrupt means.
This surrender followed a long-standing internal conflict at Wat Hiranyaram (Wat Bang Khlan) lasting over 11 years, involving complaints filed against villagers opposing the new abbot. The conflict began with accusations against the late former abbot and the temple committee of missing funds amounting to over 54 million baht; however, the court dismissed the case as the temple's money remained intact.
Subsequently, the issue was broadcast on various popular TV programs, causing distress among the innocent Bang Khlan community who became social outcasts. Multiple additional complaints were filed, including the misuse of temple funds amounting to over 9 million baht to hire lawyers over several years to sue villagers.
In 2023, villagers from Bang Khlan Subdistrict, Phothale District, Phichit Province, presented a list allegedly detailing profit-sharing with the abbot and secretary of Wat Hiranyaram (Wat Bang Khlan) totaling about 2.5 million baht. Some villagers named in the list were sued for defamation by the secretary and found guilty by the court. However, these villagers continued to fight to prove financial misconduct within Wat Hiranyaram, revealing suspicious inconsistencies in testimonies.
Mr. Amnat, a former temple secretary aware of these events, filed a complaint with investigators at the ACD to probe and prosecute those involved in this case.
Investigations showed that around late 2022, Mr. Rak Sriket, a renowned amulet maker, requested permission from Phra Kru Phisuttiwarakorn, then abbot of Wat Hiranyaram (Wat Bang Khlan), to produce sacred objects—the Luang Pho Ngern retro-historical amulet—with the aim of contributing proceeds to build a Thai-style pavilion honoring the monarchy at the temple. A total of 25,500 amulets were produced with an expected sale value of approximately 44.5 million baht. However, due to protests, only part was sold. Mr. Rak allocated some amulets to the temple to sell for pavilion renovation, expecting to raise about 9 million baht if all were sold.
Later, ACD police found that the temple appointed Mr. Mana Sangthong as the sales representative for Wat Hiranyaram (Wat Bang Khlan). A bank account was opened for amulet reservations and a collection box was set up at the temple. The abbot and secretary received money from these amulet sales. However, the temple never recorded these transactions in its official income-expense accounts (Form SBW-5). Furthermore, the former abbot and Mr. Porn, the secretary, tried to evade providing detailed income statements, claiming funds were used to purchase additional land for the temple. The land purchase was verified at only 190,000 baht, while millions from the amulet sales were unaccounted for.
Initial investigations revealed use of third-party bank accounts to receive proceeds from amulet sales, with multiple transfers to others. Also, the Luang Pho Ngern Foundation, established within Wat Bang Khlan, was used to benefit associates personally. Separate prosecutions of involved parties have been filed with the Phothale Police Station.
The conduct of Mr. Porn, the temple secretary, and the former abbot appears to be a coordinated scheme to exploit Wat Hiranyaram for personal gain and to embezzle temple funds fraudulently. Both were summoned and charged; during questioning, they denied all allegations.
Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat explained that this arose from a prolonged internal conflict lasting over 11 years, leading to complaints about financial irregularities linked to the creation of the "Luang Pho Ngern Retro-Historical" amulet at the end of 2022, intended to raise funds for building the Thai-style pavilion honoring the monarchy.
Investigations uncovered several key irregularities: 1. Missing funds: The temple was given amulets valued at over 9 million baht for sale, yet no records were made in the official income-expense accounts (Form SBW-5). 2. Use of others’ bank accounts to receive amulet reservation payments instead of the temple’s own, with further transfers to conspirators. 3. A land purchase claim used as a cover; officials found the land was sold for only 190,000 baht, with no trace of the missing money. 4. Over 9 million baht of temple funds were used over several years to hire lawyers to sue villagers opposing and scrutinizing the abbot’s actions.
Investigators found the suspects’ actions constitute a conspiracy abusing their official positions to seek personal gain and fraudulently appropriate temple property. The "Luang Pho Ngern Foundation" within the temple was also exploited to benefit associates. Additional cases have been separated for prosecution at Phothale Police Station.
Both accused came to acknowledge the charges and continue to deny wrongdoing. Nevertheless, the Central Investigation Police affirm they have clear evidence and financial trails and will pursue the case fully under the law to restore justice for the faith of the Bang Khlan community, which has suffered for a long time. "The temple must be a spiritual refuge, not a source of profit for anyone."