Former Abbot Denied Bail on Money Laundering Charges
A former Buddhist abbot and associate were remanded in custody without bail on money laundering charges after an Anti-Corruption Court in Thailand determined they posed a flight and tampering risk.
On September 11, 2025, the Anti-Corruption Court Region 1 remanded Somchai, the former abbot of Phuthai Temple in Ayutthaya, and Punyavee, also known as Seekaae, in custody without bail after investigators from the Anti-Corruption Division brought them before the court at 2:05 p.m. The court approved an initial 12-day detention order lasting from September 11 to 23, 2025.
The court found that both suspects met the criteria for arrest and face allegations of money laundering and other serious offences requiring investigation into financial trails and accomplices. The court determined there was sufficient reason to believe that if released temporarily, both would attempt to interfere with witnesses and evidence, citing the Criminal Procedure Code Section 108/1 (2) and (5). The court therefore denied their requests for temporary release and ordered them transferred to Saraburi Provincial Prison.
