Police Probe Bank Accounts in Wat Rai Khing’s B300m Embezzlement Scandal
NAKHON PATHOM — Police are scrutinizing over 20 bank accounts tied to Wat Rai Khing temple as part of their investigation into the former abbot’s alleged embezzlement of 300 million baht from temple funds.
Pol Maj Gen Prasong Chalermpan, commander of the Anti-Corruption Division, said on Sunday that the accounts under review include those used for donations, the sale of Buddha amulets, and special event collections. Seven of these accounts have already been cited as evidence in the case against former abbot Yaem Inkrungkao.
Mr. Yaem, 70, turned himself in to police last Thursday while still holding the position of abbot at the revered temple in Samphran district. He was immediately defrocked upon surrender.
The former abbot is accused of transferring temple funds to a 28-year-old woman, Aranyawan Wangthapan, allegedly to fuel online gambling activities. Investigators revealed that the pair had known each other since her school days at Wat Rai Khing School.
According to police, approximately 300 million baht was funneled from the abbot to Aranyawan between 2020 and 2024. In 2023 alone, around 80 million baht was transferred directly from the abbot’s accounts to the woman. Over 200 million baht more was moved via cash deposits and ATM transfers carried out by a former monk acting on his behalf.
Authorities have now established a dedicated operations center at the Police Academy in Samphran to manage the high-profile embezzlement investigation.
