The Crime Suppression Division raided and arrested Phra Wachirayan Wi, also known as Luang Pho Atichot, abbot of Wat Phutthaisawan royal monastery in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, for embezzling over 92 million baht from the temple and transferring it to a close female confidante, with strong evidence caught during illicit sexual activity in his residence.
At 06:00 on 10 Sep 2026 GMT+7, Pol. Lt. Gen. Natthasak Chaowanasai, Commander of the Crime Suppression Division, and Pol. Maj. Gen. Patthanasak Bubphasuwan, Commander of the Crime Suppression Unit, ordered Pol. Col. Jetanipat Siriwat, Superintendent of Division 1, Crime Suppression Unit, and Pol. Lt. Col. Somdet Sarabun, Deputy Superintendent of Division 1, to lead the arrest operation. Phra Wachirayan Wi or Luang Pho Atichot Thammavaro aged 66, abbot of Wat Phutthaisawan royal monastery in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, was arrested under a warrant issued by the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 1, No. 29/2569, dated 8 Sep 2026 GMT+7.
He faces charges including "being a public official embezzling property, misconduct or neglect of duty, abuse of public office, conspiracy to launder money, and money laundering" after being found to have misappropriated temple funds for his own use before transferring them to a close female confidante, converting damages totaling over 92 million baht. The arrest took place at his residence in the temple.
Reports indicate that the arrest followed information received by Investigation Division 1, Crime Suppression Unit, about the suspect's alleged corrupt and embezzling behavior and illicit sexual activity. Undercover investigations confirmed these allegations, revealing that over two years, more than 20 unauthorized donation certificates were issued in the temple's name, resulting in losses exceeding 92 million baht. Evidence was gathered before proceeding to the arrest.
During the arrest, police reviewed CCTV footage inside the temple residence capturing the abbot engaging in flirtatious behavior and overt sexual activity with a close female confidante. Authorities are currently searching for additional evidence and will bring the suspect in for detailed interrogation at the Crime Suppression Division.
Subsequent reports state that the Crime Suppression Division also detained the abbot’s close female confidante, suspected of involvement in embezzling temple funds and managing accounts with tens of millions of baht turnover annually. Police continue to search for further evidence before bringing her in for questioning.