The Crime Suppression Division 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 devotee; evidence also includes footage of him engaging in sexual misconduct inside his residence.
At 06:00 on 10 Sep 2026 GMT+7, Pol. Lt. Gen. Natthasak Chaowanasai, Commissioner of the Crime Suppression Division, and Pol. Maj. Gen. Phatthanasak Bupphasuwan, Commander of the Crime Suppression Division, ordered Pol. Col. Jetanipat Siriwat, Superintendent of Division 1, 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 an anti-corruption court warrant number 29/2569 dated 8 Sep 2026 GMT+7.
He faces charges of "being a government official embezzling property, misconduct or neglect of duty, acting improperly as a state official, conspiracy to launder money, and money laundering" after allegedly embezzling temple funds for his own use and transferring them to a close female devotee to conceal losses totaling over 92 million baht; the arrest took place at his temple residence.
According to reports, the arrest followed intelligence received by Division 1 of the Crime Suppression Division about the monk’s suspected corrupt embezzlement and sexual misconduct. An undercover investigation confirmed the allegations, revealing that over two years, more than 20 unauthorized donation certificates were issued in the temple’s name, causing financial damage exceeding 92 million baht. Evidence was gathered for verification and the subsequent arrest.
During the arrest, police reviewed CCTV footage inside the temple residence capturing the abbot playfully interacting and openly engaging in sexual acts with a close female devotee. Authorities are currently searching for additional evidence before bringing him in for detailed questioning at the Crime Suppression Division.
Later reports stated that the Crime Suppression Division also detained the abbot’s close female devotee, implicated in embezzling and circulating tens of millions of baht annually through the temple’s accounts. Police are conducting further searches for evidence before bringing her in for interrogation.