The monastic council has decided to expel “Kruba Chaiwat” from his original temple for failing to report as required amid a land encroachment issue involving the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) in Saraburi. He must find a new temple affiliation within seven days or face immediate defrocking.
After police raided the Pa Chana Jai spiritual practice center in Saraburi following complaints of encroachment on ALRO land, disciples and the temple’s lawyer stated they were ready to let the law take its course. However, more victims subsequently came forward to report information to the Crime Suppression Division, possibly involving fraud, which remains under investigation. Meanwhile, Kruba Chaiwat’s original temple in Loei province summoned him to report, but he requested a postponement due to illness.
Most recently, on 5 Mar 2026 GMT+7, the National Office of Buddhism issued a letter notifying the expulsion of "Kruba Chaiwat" from his original temple and requiring him to find a new temple affiliation within seven days; otherwise, he must be defrocked.
The letter's contents are as follows:
The Provincial Monk Chief of Loei announces the decision to expel him from his original temple.
Office of the Provincial Monk Chief of Loei (Theravada), Wat Srisutthawas Royal Monastery, Mueang Loei District, Loei Province, 5 March 2026 GMT+7.
Subject: Notification of the order to remove Phra Chaiwat Akkachayo (Rojanamethikij) from the affiliation of Wat Srisutthawas Royal Monastery, Mueang Loei District, Loei Province, according to the monastic council's resolution.
To: Phra Ratchawatcharayanrasi, Provincial Monk Chief of Saraburi (Theravada).
Enclosures: 1. Letter from the abbot of Wat Srisutthawas requesting Phra Chaiwat Akkachayo (Rojanamethikij) to return to the temple affiliation within seven days, dated 19 February 2025 GMT+7, one copy.
2. Order letter from the abbot of Wat Srisutthawas No. 00/2568 concerning the removal of Phra Chaiwat Akkachayo (Rojanamethikij) from the temple affiliation, one copy.
3. Resolution of the monastic council meeting, one copy.
On 18 February 2026 GMT+7 at 30:30 (ambiguous time; likely an error), the Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, along with its officials,
conducted operations in unauthorized temple construction areas under the 1987 Act on Establishment of Temples and Monasteries.
Subsequently, on 19 February 2026 GMT+7,
I, as the abbot of Wat Srisutthawas Royal Monastery, issued a letter to Phra Chaiwat Akkachayo (Rojanamethikij) requesting his return to Wat Srisutthawas within seven days from receipt of the letter. However, he attempted to delay and evade this order in ways that violated both monastic discipline and the law. The case is under investigation by authorities and is of public interest.
Therefore, the Theravada monastic council of Loei province and the Provincial Office of Buddhism convened a meeting on 5 March 2026 GMT+7 at Wat Srisutthawas Royal Monastery to deliberate this matter. The council resolved to expel Phra Chaiwat Akkachayo (Rojanamethikij) from Wat Srisutthawas Royal Monastery. I have issued the corresponding order in line with this resolution. Details are attached as above.
Furthermore, Phra Chaiwat Akkachayo (Rojanamethikij) and the land occupied by Wat Pa Raksa Jai, Ariya Village, Wat Pa Chana Jai, the International Raksa Jai Buddhist Center, and Pha Chana Jai in Nong Yang Suea Subdistrict, Muak Lek District, overlapping Wang Muang District, Saraburi Province, fall under the jurisdiction of the Theravada monastic council of Saraburi Province.
This is to inform you for awareness and to consider appropriate action according to monastic discipline and legal procedures.
