Police trace over 700 million baht in former Ayutthaya abbot case

Police have seized or frozen more than 700 million baht in assets linked to Phra Wachirayan, also known as Luang Pho Atichot Dhammavaro, the former abbot of Wat Phutthaisawan, a royal monastery in Ayutthaya, and his female associate, Punyawi “Ae” Rungrueang.

Investigators said the former abbot diverted about 92 million baht intended for the temple, comprising 2.8 million baht from 22 amulet transactions and 89 million baht in donations for temple maintenance. The money was allegedly routed through the unauthorised Wan Chot Foundation into personal accounts, while donation receipts were issued in the temple’s name. None of the money entered the temple’s accounts.

Assets linked to the former abbot were valued at more than 498 million baht, including 290 million baht in bank accounts, 138.3 million baht in cash and over 1,000 baht-weight of gold. Assets linked to Punyawi were valued at about 215 million baht and included cash, gold, land documents, bank accounts and savings certificates. Police said she had accumulated houses, vehicles and other assets despite having no apparent regular occupation, with some property allegedly placed in her daughter’s name.

Police said footage showed the former abbot having sex with Punyawi several times inside his quarters, including near an area used by followers for worship. Reports said he monitored CCTV cameras through his phone and stopped when followers approached. The sexual relationship constituted the gravest monastic offence, permanently disqualifying him from reordination.

Both suspects denied charges related to embezzlement, misconduct in office and money laundering. They were remanded by the Region 1 Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases on Friday, with police opposing bail because of concerns they could flee or interfere with evidence. Investigators said the case could expand to another two or three people.

The scandal has also hit prices of the “Nuea Duang” amulet associated with the former abbot, with some rare versions reportedly falling from millions of baht to tens of thousands. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who has worn the amulet, said it had “worked” and argued that it was consecrated by several revered monks, not only the former abbot.

Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook

Share on X (Opens in new window) X

Thai Enquirer News Summary – September 11, 2026

Opinion – Why I Don’t Believe This Protest Is About Gaza

Thai Enquirer News Summary – September 10, 2026

The Little Tea Shop That Became a Public Space

Thai Enquirer News Summary – September 9, 2026

Thai Enquirer News Summary – September 8, 2026

警方已查封或冻结了与帕瓦奇拉扬（又名龙婆阿提乔达摩瓦罗）及其女伴蓬雅维“艾”荣鲁昂有关的超过7亿泰铢的资产。帕瓦奇拉扬是阿瑜陀耶皇家寺院佛泰萨旺寺的前住持。

调查人员称，这位前住持挪用了约9200万泰铢的寺庙专项资金，其中包括22笔佛牌交易所得的280万泰铢和用于寺庙维护的8900万泰铢捐款。据称，这些资金通过未经授权的万乔基金会转入个人账户，而捐款收据却以寺庙的名义开具。寺庙的账户并未收到任何款项。

与前住持有关的资产价值超过4.98亿泰铢，其中包括2.9亿泰铢的银行存款、1.383亿泰铢的现金以及超过1000泰铢重的黄金。与普尼亚维有关的资产价值约2.15亿泰铢，包括现金、黄金、土地文件、银行账户和储蓄凭证。警方称，尽管她没有固定的职业，却积累了房产、车辆和其他资产，其中一些房产据称登记在她女儿名下。

警方称，监控录像显示，这位前住持多次在其住所内与普尼亚维发生性关系，其中包括在信徒礼拜场所附近。报道称，他通过手机监控录像，并在信徒靠近时停止。这种性关系构成了最严重的僧侣罪行，使他永久丧失了重新受戒的资格。

两名嫌疑人均否认了与挪用公款、渎职和洗钱相关的指控。周五，第一区刑事法院（专门审理贪污和渎职案件）将他们还押候审，警方反对保释，因为担心他们可能潜逃或妨碍司法公正。调查人员表示，此案可能还会牵涉到另外两到三人。

丑闻也影响了与前住持相关的“Nuea Duang”佛牌的价格，据报道，一些稀有版本的价格已从数百万泰铢跌至数万泰铢。曾佩戴过该佛牌的泰国总理阿努廷·查恩维拉库尔表示，该佛牌“灵验”，并辩称它是由多位德高望重的僧侣加持的，而不仅仅是前住持。

分享至 Facebook（在新窗口中打开） Facebook

分享至 X（在新窗口中打开）X

《泰国询问报》新闻摘要 – 2026年9月11日

观点——为什么我不认为这次抗议与加沙有关

《泰国询问报》新闻摘要 – 2026年9月10日

变成公共空间的小茶馆

《泰国询问报》新闻摘要 – 2026年9月9日

《泰国询问报》新闻摘要 – 2026年9月8日