Biography "Luang Por Dhammachayo" Phra Athikan Chaiyaboon Dhammachayo, former abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya and founder of the DMC television station, which broadcasts Buddhist teachings around the clock, providing spiritual support to devotees.
Following reports that the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) sent a notice to discontinue legal proceedings against Phra Thepyanmahamuni (Chaiyaboon Sutthiphon), also known as Phra Rajapawana Wisutthik or Phra Athikan Chaiyaboon Dhammachayo, on charges of conspiracy in money laundering, money laundering, and receiving stolen property, the name "Luang Por Dhammachayo," former abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, has become a topic of discussion once again.mentionedLooking back at his significant roles, they are as follows.
Luang Por Dhammachayo, also known as Phra Thepyanmahamuni, Phra Rajapawana Wisutthik, or Phra Athikan Chaiyaboon Dhammachayo, was born Chaiyaboon Sutthiphon on Saturday, 22 April 1944, in Ban Paeng Subdistrict, Phrom Buri District, Singburi Province. During his studies, he developed a strong interest in Dharma and meditation until he met Mae Chi Jan Kannokyoong (a disciple of Luang Pu Sot, Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen) and became her disciple to study Dhammakaya meditation.
Entering the monkhood and establishing the temple
Phra Dhammachayo was ordained on 27 August 1969 at the ubosot of Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen, with Phra Thep Worawet (currently Somdet Phra Maha Ratchamangalacharn, abbot of Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen) as his preceptor. He received the monastic title 'Dhammachayo,' meaning 'one who wins by Dharma.'
He later joined Mae Chi Jan Kannokyoong and a group of disciples to establish the 'Buddhist Practice Center' on donated land in Pathum Thani Province, which later became Wat Phra Dhammakaya.
Key roles at Wat Phra Dhammakaya
Phra Dhammachayo is a key figure in expanding Wat Phra Dhammakaya to over 100 branches worldwide and founded the DMC television station to broadcast Buddhist teachings 24 hours a day. He also organized large-scale merit-making events attracting hundreds of thousands to millions of participants, such as the Thudong Dhammachai project and mass almsgiving to tens to hundreds of thousands of monks across Thailand.
Later, in 2016-2017, Phra Dhammachayo was chargedwith allegationsof conspiracy in money laundering, money laundering, and receiving stolen property linked to the embezzlement at the Khlongchan Credit Union Cooperative. Following a police operation to surround Wat Phra Dhammakaya to arrest him (Operation Dawn at Khlong Luang), Phra Dhammachayo was not found, and his whereabouts remain unknown. Meanwhile, loyal followers continue making merit and practicing Dharma according to his teachings.
However, recent reports state that on 20 March 2026, the DSI sent a notice to discontinue legal proceedings against Phra Thepyanmahamuni (Chaiyaboon Sutthiphon), also known as Phra Rajapawana Wisutthik or Phra Athikan Chaiyaboon Dhammachayo, on charges of conspiracy in money laundering, money laundering, and receiving stolen property under the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 1999 (sections 5, 9, and 60), the 2015 amendment to the Anti-Money Laundering Act (No. 5), and the Criminal Code sections 83, 91, and 357, due to the case being time-barred.
Image courtesy ofhttps://www.dmc.tv/article/10583