Monastery Money Heist: Thai Monk Nabbed Over $3 M Scandal

Sat Sep 12 2026 05:07:02 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A former abbess of a historic Thai temple is arrested for siphoning $3 million from donations, caught also in a sexual scandal with a suspected accomplice. Authorities seized gold, watches and hundreds of thousands of baht in evidence.

Phra Wachirayan Wi, the ex‑abbot of the 14th‑century Wat Phutthaisawan in Ayutthaya, was arrested for alleged embezzlement of 100 million baht ($3 million) from temple donations. Police discovered cash, gold bars and thousands of baht that never entered the temple’s account, and footage of a sexual encounter with a 47‑year‑old woman, Punyavee Rungrueang. The woman, charged with abetting the monk’s illegal activities, is also suspected of helping launder the funds. This arrest follows a prior scandal involving monks, sex, and blackmail that shook Thailand’s monastic community. The case highlights ongoing corruption issues within Buddhist institutions.

Thai police arrest Buddhist monk in $3 m embezzlement scandal.

Phra Wachirayan Wi, a former abbot at the ancient Wat Phutthaisawan, allegedly siphoned donations meant for the temple on more than 20 occasions over two years. Police seized over 100 million baht in cash and gold, none of which entered the temple’s account.

The monk was also caught on CCTV having sex with a woman named Punyavee Rungrueang, who has been charged with aiding his illicit activities. She is believed to have helped move the stolen money through her bank accounts.

Thailand’s Buddhist community has faced repeated reports of monks breaking vows of celibacy, trafficking drugs and engaging in financial crimes. A hotline was opened last year for people to report “misbehaving monks.” This latest arrest follows a prior scandal where monks were blackmailed by a woman for nearly $12 million.

The monk was defrocked after the arrest and has not yet commented publicly. Authorities say that two or three other individuals may be involved in the scheme.