Thai abbot, 66, accused of embezzling over S$3.8 million in sex scandal with female aide

Thai police examined surveillance footage and found a video of the monk engaging in intercourse on a table.

A Thai abbot from Ayutthaya in central Thailand was arrested on Sep. 10, 2026, alongside a female aide who was caught on CCTV footage having sex with the monk in his quarters.

According to Bangkok Post, the abbot and his female aide were accused of embezzling 100 million baht (S$3.8 million) from Wat Phutthaisawan, an ancient royal monastery in Ayutthaya's Muang district.

Thailand's Central Investigation Bureau commissioner Natthasak Chaowanasai said that police raided the residence of 66-year-old Phra Vajirayan, also known as Luang Por Chot, after complaints were filed.

At the time of the arrest, police examined surveillance footage from inside the abbot's quarters and found a video of him engaging in intercourse on a table.

The Bangkok Post reported that the complaints alleged that the abbot had misappropriated temple funds and passed the money to his female aide to disguise the ill-gotten gains under other people's names.

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

A covert investigation was conducted, and authorities found evidence supporting the claims, Nathasak stated.

The monk purportedly issued over 20 unauthorised donation receipts in the temple's name over a period of more than two years.

This amounted to losses of around 100 million baht (S$3.8 million).

The female aide had tens of millions of baht circulating through her bank accounts each year,  police added.

The police noted that the table used in the compromising video was also used for meals.

Bangkok Post wrote that the sex videos were provided by the abbot's former followers who said they could no longer tolerate his behaviour.

Many monks in Thailand receive monthly stipends from the government and are hence considered state officials, reported The Bangkok Post.

In 2022, Phra Vajirayan was appointed as the temple's abbot.

He gained fame from creating highly sought-after Buddhist amulets, including the "Nuea Duang" coin.

Police searched Punyavee's home in Pathum Thani, a province between Bangkok and Ayutthaya.

They found and seized 35 gold amulets and other gold bars and jewellery that weighed a combined 1.36kg and were estimated to be worth 6.04 million baht (S$231,000).

Authorities also seized 3.6 million baht (S$137,700) in cash, and other items including three mobile phones, 10 sets of land and bank documents, 18 sets of investment documents and other sale receipts.

Investigators noted that two or three other individuals and more than one woman may have been involved in the case, according to the Bangkok Post.

Bangkok Post reported that Phra Vajirayan was escorted to the temple's ordination hall for a defrocking ceremony after his arrest, changing into white robes and reverting to his former name, Atichote Thammavaro.

He was then taken into police custody before being taken to Thailand's Central Investigation Bureau for further questioning.

A lay administrator for the temple was also brought in for questioning and declined to comment.