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Thai Monk Arrested over US$9 Million Temple Embezzlement

Thai police arrested Abbot Phra Thammachiranuwat on May 15, 2025, for embezzling over US$9 million from Wat Rai Khing temple near Bangkok.
Officials linked the money diverted from the temple’s accounts to an illegal online baccarat gambling operation.
The temple, one of Bangkok's western suburbs most prominent, relies on donations from worshippers who give during merit-making ceremonies for good fortune and reincarnation.
At a press briefing, CIB Deputy Commissioner Jaroonkiat Pankaew stated that the arrest aims to cleanse the integrity of the religion, while authorities detained a second suspect and ongoing investigations continue.
The arrest sparked significant social media backlash, with some users pledging to donate to hospitals or schools instead, while others urged Buddhists to maintain faith and avoid generalizing.

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The Hindu

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Thailand monk arrested over $9 million temple embezzlement

Investigators from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) accuse Abbot Phra Thammachiranuwat from Wat Rai Khing of siphoning more than 300 million baht ($9.05 million) from the temple's bank account into his own

19 hours ago·India

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CBS News

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Monk arrested for allegedly embezzling $9 million from temple in Thailand

A Buddhist monk allegedly embezzled more than $9 million from the prominent temple he ran which was funded by donations from devotees.

23 hours ago

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South China Morning Post

Center

Thai monk arrested for stealing US$9 million from shrine, cash tied to gambling

Police said Phra Thammachiranuwat’s arrest is to ‘help purify our religion’.

1 day ago·Hong Kong

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The Straits Times

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Thai monk with apparent gambling problem arrested over $12m temple embezzlement

The Wat Rai Khing temple in Bangkok houses a replica of the Buddha’s footprint. Read more at straitstimes.com.

1 day ago·Singapore

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Channel News Asia

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Thai monk arrested over US$9 million temple embezzlement

BANGKOK: Thai police have arrested a Buddhist monk over allegations that he embezzled more than US$9 million from the prominent temple he ran, which was funded by donations from devotees. Investigators from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) are accusing Abbot Phra Thammachiranuwat from Wat Rai Khing o

1 day ago·Singapore

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thairath.co.th

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"Big Tao" Intensively Interrogates "Tid Yaem", Says Information Is Still Inconsistent with Witnesses and Facts

Secretary of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) points out that the embezzlement case of 300 million baht from Wat Rai Khing is just the beginning. "Big Tao" said that the information is still inconsistent with the witnesses and facts. He will interrogate them all night long. "Tid Yaem", the former abbot of Wat Rai Khing, is not stressed and accepts the situation.

2 days ago

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