Investigation at Wat Rai Khing discovers 49 bank accounts; impending arrest warrants anticipated
In a shocking turn of events, Abbot Phra Thammachiranuwat of Wat Rai Khing in Nakhon Pathom Province was arrested on May 2025, accused of embezzling over 300 million baht (approximately $9 million) from temple donations [1][5]. The stolen funds are believed to have been funneled into an illegal online gambling network, revealing a complex financial misconduct within the temple.
This scandal is part of a wider crisis of scandals involving Thailand’s Buddhist institutions, where lack of transparency in temple finances has allowed some abbots to misuse donation money for personal enrichment under the guise of spiritual leadership [1]. The situation has prompted calls for reforms, including proposals for more public scrutiny and the establishment of an independent watchdog to oversee monastic conduct alongside existing religious bodies [3].
The temple's income from two annual fairs, approximately 17-18 million baht each, has not entered the temple's accounts but has been transferred to the former abbot's account [2]. Four out of the temple's 49 bank accounts for donations have been accounted for in financial reports, leaving a significant discrepancy that has raised concerns [2].
The Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) is investigating the flow of funds due to this discrepancy, and the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) is preparing to issue at least five additional arrest warrants for individuals involved with the temple's finances [4]. Authorities are closely monitoring potential connections to other temples in Nakhon Pathom Province, particularly regarding the creation of sacred amulets and related funds transferred to the former abbot [4].
Investigations have uncovered a complex financial network linked to online gambling operations [5]. The PACC is assisting the temple in establishing measures to maintain operations moving forward. Two vehicles belonging to the former abbot have been identified, while Patcharaporn, reportedly the one managing the revenues, owns 12 cars [4].
The public impact of this scandal is significant. Devotees are growing distrustful, changing their donation habits as a result. A security guard named Camphun Parimiphut has stopped giving money and instead offers food or other items [1]. The daily donations at Wat Rai Khing on weekdays average 50,000 baht, weekends 100,000 baht, and up to 1 million baht on long holidays, with an estimated total annual donation income of 150 million baht [4].
As the investigations continue, the acting abbot and authorities are examining the temple's income and expenses to restore public trust and ensure the temple's funds are used for their intended purposes.
References:
[1] "Wat Rai Khing Abbot Arrested for Embezzlement." Bangkok Post, 20 May 2025, www.bangkokpost.com.
[2] "Wat Rai Khing Scandal: 4 out of 49 Bank Accounts Accounted for in Financial Reports." The Nation, 15 June 2025, www.nationthailand.com.
[3] "Reforms Called for in Wake of Wat Rai Khing Scandal." The Standard, 20 June 2025, www.standard.co.th.
[4] "CIB to Issue More Arrest Warrants in Wat Rai Khing Scandal." Thai Rath, 3 July 2025, www.thairath.co.th.
[5] "Investigations Uncover Complex Financial Network Linked to Online Gambling Operations in Wat Rai Khing Scandal." Manager Online, 10 July 2025, www.manageronline.com.
- The Wat Rai Khing embezzlement scandal, involving the misuse of donation money for personal gain, is a part of a larger issue of financial misconduct in Thailand's Buddhist institutions.
- The complex financial misconduct within Wat Rai Khing, which includes the embezzlement of over 300 million baht and the funding of an illegal online gambling network, is causing public distrust and a shift in donation habits towards the temple.
- The General News, Business, and Crime & Justice sectors are closely following the investigations into the Wat Rai Khing scandal, as they reveal a critical need for increased transparency and oversight in temple finances to prevent further misuse of donations for illicit activities.
