Following the scandal involving the former monk Phra Thammavachiranuwat, known as “Tid Yaem,” former abbot of Wat Rai Khing in Nakhon Pathom Province, who disrobed after being accused of embezzling over 300 million baht from the temple’s bank account to gamble on online baccarat, new developments have emerged.
At 7:00 a.m. on May 16, Police Major General Jaroonkiat Pankaew, Deputy Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, led a team of officers with a search warrant to raid Wat Rai Khing to collect further evidence. He stated that four additional locations would be searched and three more individuals questioned. These individuals, all temple staff, will be interrogated regarding financial transactions linked to the embezzlement.
The four search locations include three within the temple: the abbot’s quarters, the administrative office, and the monks’ residence, as well as one off-site location— a private residence of a temple staff member who was found to have had financial dealings related to the case. Authorities are continuing to collect as much supporting evidence as possible.
Reporters noted that during yesterday’s questioning, the former abbot confessed but withheld some details, and parts of his statements did not match the evidence collected by police. An additional investigation is being conducted into money borrowed from other abbots. Authorities have pledged to review all past events surrounding this case thoroughly to resolve the matter and ensure the temple’s continuity. They emphasized the importance of preserving Wat Rai Khing while taking decisive legal action against any wrongdoing.