Luang Por Choti, under scrutiny by the National Office of Buddhism, has been confirmed to have lost his monkhood. Clear evidence shows inappropriate relationships involving temple staff around the table. "Maha Mee" points out three money laundering schemes within the monk community, the worst being using temple funds to produce sacred amulets, with the profits going into nominee accounts instead of the temple.
Luang Por Choti, a renowned monk from a temple in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, was arrested by police on charges of embezzling temple assets, transferring money to temple staff, and involvement in sexual misconduct captured on video, sparking widespread public outrage.
The Thairath Online special news team contacted Mr. Kritsakorn Sanit Sakdee, an inspector from the National Office of Buddhism, who visited the temple. He reported that police have thoroughly searched the monks' quarters and all related areas within the temple to examine documents, financial accounts, and other evidence. Meanwhile, security remains tight, with no outsiders or unrelated personnel allowed during the search.
The investigation into temple fund embezzlement focuses on the management of temple money and assets, including allocation of income from producing and distributing sacred amulets, such as coins and principal amulets. Earlier reports suggested losses as high as 92 million baht, though this figure remains unconfirmed and is under detailed financial audit, possibly higher or lower than reported.
Authorities continue to detain former Luang Por Choti and conduct ongoing searches within the temple, but have not yet taken him to the police station. Defrocking procedures are expected to follow Buddhist disciplinary protocols later the same day.
Police and investigative agencies are expanding their probe into financial trails and money laundering, which is a primary focus of the law enforcement effort. Officials plan to compile all evidence and officially update the public on case developments.
Regarding temple financial management, there remains a distinction between monk funds and temple funds. The Thairath Online special team spoke with "Maha Mee" (Dr. Prayut Prathetsena), Vice President of the Dhammathorn Foundation, who explained that the legal process against Luang Por Choti must separate Buddhist disciplinary matters from civil law as follows.
Under Buddhist discipline, there is clear video evidence of sexual misconduct, which constitutes the grave offense of "Parajik" — resulting in immediate loss of monkhood.
Under civil law, once the Crime Suppression Division or the Anti-Corruption Police have arrested him, the monastic order need not take additional action since the case falls under civil jurisdiction. If defrocking does not occur at arrest, it will proceed through legal channels later.
Regarding criminal charges of embezzlement, police focus primarily on financial misuse, as sexual misconduct is not criminal under secular law, but misappropriation of temple funds is a serious offense.
According to the Sangha Act, Section 45, the abbot is considered a "government official" under the Penal Code, and Section 37(1) grants the abbot authority to oversee and organize temple property.
Embezzlement occurs when the abbot uses temple funds improperly, for personal use or transfers to third parties (such as temple staff), violating Penal Code Section 147 (embezzlement by a government official) along with Section 157 (misconduct in office).
When asked about money laundering patterns among monks, Maha Mee pointed out that while personal funds can be used freely without legal issue, temple funds are often laundered in the following ways.
1. Using nominees — close associates or temple staff buy real estate, stocks, or assets with temple money.
2. Converting funds into cash and hiding it in the homes of temple staff, relatives, or monk quarters.
3. Circulating funds through sacred amulets — for example, withdrawing 10 million baht to create amulets, leasing them out to generate 100 million baht, returning only the original 10 million to the temple, while the excess profit goes into personal or third-party accounts.
Money laundering is legally defined by acts of concealing or disguising the origin of assets to make them appear legally obtained.
By law, temple accounts require signatures from three people to withdraw funds: the abbot plus temple committee members or the treasurer.
The abbot’s personal accounts can be managed solely by him.
In practice, abbots often choose committee members or treasurers loyal to them, undermining effective oversight. Moreover, of over 44,800 temples in Thailand, fewer than 5,000 have significant income; most suffer from inadequate financial management systems.
This case underscores that "money" and "monks" should remain distinct, but as times change, laws and audits must keep pace. Buddhists should donate thoughtfully and avoid fostering a culture of wealth accumulation among monks.
For transparency, legal measures should require abbots to disclose all bank accounts (both temple and personal) to the National Office of Buddhism to prevent future misuse of temple funds for personal gain.