Abbot Arrested Over 92-Million-Baht Temple Fund Embezzlement
The abbot of an Ayutthaya royal temple was arrested for embezzling approximately 92 million baht in temple funds, which he allegedly laundered through associates, facing charges including extortion and money laundering.
Police from the Corruption and Misconduct Suppression Division arrested 66-year-old Phra Wachiryan, also known as Luang Pho Otchoti Thammavaro or Luang Pho Choti, abbot of Wat Putthai Dharma royal temple in Ayutthaya province, under warrant issued September 8, 2025. He faces charges including extortion of public property, breach of duty, and money laundering. Investigators found he had embezzled temple funds and transferred them through associates to launder approximately 92 million baht in damages. He was apprehended at the temple.
Luang Pho Choti, born November 21, 1946, was ordained on January 22, 2001 at Wat Putthai Dharma. He became assistant abbot in 2016, acting abbot in 2021, and full abbot in 2022. He received the ecclesiastical rank of Phra Kru Sannyabat (first class) on July 28, 2019 and was elevated to Phra Rachakhan (third class) on June 28, 2024.
Beyond his monastic duties, Luang Pho Otchoti was known as the creator of the popular amulet called "Hian Nuea Duang" (amulet above the moon), a highly sought-after item in Thai amulet collecting circles. He commissioned its creation to mark the elevation of Wat Putthai Dharma to royal temple status.
