Dormitory Mogul Exposed: Million-Baht Temple Donation Embezzlement Scandal

On February 5, 2024, at the Ping Thao Kong Ma Shrine in Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani, a complaint was filed by 74-year-old Jitra Intarawitthananth, the shrine's financial committee member, along with Somchai Triputtarat, the shrine's association president. They are seeking justice and tracking 1 million baht in donated funds that were allegedly diverted to personal use by a committee member over 16 years. The accused, identified only as 'Ms. A', is a well-connected local businesswoman who owns a large dormitory business and construction supply company. She proposed moving the 1 million baht from a joint account to her personal account, claiming it would make withdrawals easier and help manage interest. The construction site remains incomplete, with a two-story building in a semi-finished state. Only a small front gateway with red decorations and dragon pillars have been fully completed. The committee discovered the account had been closed since 2553 (2010) and suspects the funds may have been used for personal business purposes. The committee is preparing to file a legal complaint if the funds are not returned, emphasizing that every baht came from public donations meant to complete the 19-million-baht temple project.