Abbot Adul Denies 10 Million Baht Rumor, Vows to Stay

On August 21, monks at Wat Pa Adul Yaram in Khon Kaen's Muang District conducted evening chanting, attended by local Buddhist lay followers. Abbot Phra Kru Adul Sarnit, the temple's abbot, addressed the situation by explaining that temple establishment is complete because it followed proper monastic legal procedures and received official announcement in the Royal Gazette. He urged skeptics to study the law and temple establishment process, comparing the completion to a marriage certificate—once filed and announced, the matter is concluded. Some documents from 30 years ago may be lost to time, but the official announcement in the Royal Gazette is final. He also humorously remarked that some matters must remain confidential, like a James Bond film.

Regarding the 10 million baht rumor, Abbot Phra Kru Adul Sarnit firmly denied that anyone had called offering money and urged the public not to believe false rumors, stating that even if someone offered hundreds of millions or billions of baht, he would not leave the temple. He asked people not to believe the money rumors, saying "no one called, and whether it's hundreds of millions or billions, we will not go. We will stay here."

Meanwhile, Saengdao Chantavichai, 76, a temple lay leader, clarified accusations that the temple was dividing land among committee members. He confirmed that all temple officials volunteered without expecting personal benefit, seeking only to preserve the temple and its traditions. He expressed concern for the abbot's safety following ongoing disturbances. The temple currently has five lay leaders of varying ages, with the most senior over 80 years old. Saengdao stated that the land in question is vacant and any descendants' legal claims would be without merit. He also noted that disturbances have occurred since 1992, and if one entrance is blocked, they may try another.