Ayutthaya abbot held in embezzlement and sex scandal

Police escort Atichote Thammavaro, formerly Phra Vajirayan, out of Wat Phutthaisawan in Ayutthaya after he was defrocked on Thursday. He is facing charges related to the embezzlement of 92 million baht in temple funds. (Photo: supplied/ Wassayos Ngamkham) A 66-year-old abbot accused of embezzling 100 million baht from a well-known temple in Ayutthaya was arrested on Thursday, along with a female aide who was seen having sex with the monk in security video taken in his quarters.

Police at 6am raided the quarters of Phra Vajirayan, also known as Luang Por Chot, at Wat Phutthaisawan, police said.

The investigation began after a complaint was filed alleging that the abbot had misappropriated temple funds and handed the money to a female associate to hide the funds under other people’s names.

Investigators then conducted an investigation and found evidence supporting the allegations, police said.

Over a period of more than two years, the monk allegedly issued more than 20 donation receipts in the temple’s name without authorisation, causing total losses of about 100 million baht. 

During the arrest, police examined CCTV footage inside the abbot’s residence, in which they found video showing him engaging in sexual activity with a woman on a table inside his quarters. The table was also used for meals, police said.

The woman was an aide who reportedly helped the monk manage the embezzled money. Police found that tens of millions of baht had circulated through her bank accounts each year.

Punyavee Rungrueang, 47, was arrested on charges of abetting a state official in illegal activities.

After his arrest, Luang Por Chot was defrocked. The suspect, now known by his former name Atichote Thammavaro, was then taken into police custody. 

Investigators say the former abbot misappropriated proceeds from the sale of amulets and other religious objects. Instead of depositing the money into the temple’s accounts, he reportedly established a foundation and transferred funds into personal accounts, while donation receipts were issued in the temple’s name.