Pitakdech revealed that the Anti-Money Laundering Committee summoned seven agencies for a rigorous investigation into the Wat Phutthaisawan corruption case. The Revenue Department was shocked upon retrospective audits of former abbot Smeechot, Si Ka Ae, and the foundation, finding none had ever filed any tax returns. Orders were given to investigate taxes retroactively, extending to heirs.
On 23 September 2026, Mr. Pitakdech Deddecho, a member of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Anti-Money Laundering and Narcotics Suppression, announced the financial investigation results of the Wat Phutthaisawan abbot and associates. The committee held joint meetings with multiple agencies including the Anti-Money Laundering Office, Bank of Thailand, Revenue Department, Department of Provincial Administration, National Office of Buddhism, and the Special Operations Police to track and summarize the financial trail in the temple embezzlement and asset misappropriation case linked to former abbot Phra Chot, Si Ka Ae, and related parties.
Meanwhile, the Special Operations Police began examining complaints of sexual misconduct and temple fund embezzlement. Key evidence included a flash drive revealing the transfer of temple donation money into private accounts and the issuance of donation receipts in the temple’s name, totaling over 100 million baht. The court has approved arrest warrants for the former abbot and associates on charges of fraud, asset misappropriation, and money laundering. The Anti-Money Laundering Office reported freezing assets including gold and amulets weighing over 3,000 baht valued above 200 million baht. Combined with cash and other seized assets, total confiscations exceed 720 million baht.
Additionally, the Department of Provincial Administration uncovered suspicious matters regarding the foundation’s establishment, noting sales of sacred items under the foundation’s name while issuing donation receipts in the temple’s name. This raised concerns about legality and whether the proceeds were shared improperly among individuals.
Mr. Pitakdech added that what shocked officials was the Revenue Department’s finding that none of the former abbot Phra Chot, Si Ka Ae, involved persons, or the foundation had any history of filing tax returns. The committee therefore ordered the Revenue Department to urgently investigate the financial and tax records retroactively for all involved, including Si Ka Ae’s heirs.
The committee is preparing to propose legal amendments and measures to close loopholes concerning “donations given out of affection” and “charitable contributions” to prevent the use of religious channels for money laundering in the future.