Abbot Khukritthi Acknowledges Charges Over Distributing Hundreds of Thousands in Temple Bonuses to Disciples Over Five Years
Abbot Khukritthi of Wat Na Pa Pong in Pathum Thani appeared for questioning over allegations he distributed hundreds of thousands of baht in temple bonuses to disciples between 2012 and 2016, accused of embezzlement and official misconduct.
On May 12, 2569 (2026) at 10:20 a.m. at the Anti-Corruption and Misconduct Suppression Center (ACMS), Abbot Khukritthi Sotthiphol of Wat Na Pa Pong in Pathum Thani reported for questioning regarding charges of embezzlement and official misconduct. He is accused of misappropriating temple funds to distribute bonuses of hundreds of thousands of baht per disciple between 2555-2559 (2012-2016). The interrogation lasted over four hours before he was taken for fingerprinting as per legal procedures. His legal team requested that assembled media refrain from recording any footage, stating concerns that the publicity could damage Abbot Khukritthi's reputation and that images might be edited and inappropriately shared on social media. They indicated a press statement would be issued to clarify the facts. Police subsequently escorted Abbot Khukritthi via a separate elevator to the third floor of the Central Investigation Bureau building and out through a connecting passage to an alternative parking structure before he returned directly to the temple.
