Former Abbot Held For Questioning After All-Night Police Interrogation

Somchai, the former abbot of Phutthaithaisawan Temple, is under severe stress following an all-night police interrogation. He remains dressed in white robes, sitting motionless against a wall as relatives who arrived to visit stated that his lawyer has withdrawn from the case.

On September 11, 2025, police brought the 66-year-old former abbot, previously known as Phra Acharn Atichoti Dhamavaro, from Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya to the Central Investigation Bureau's suppression division late on the previous evening. He was questioned all night at the bureau's interrogation room until approximately 5 a.m., when officers placed him in custody along with a close associate. The two were held in separate cells. A witness, Wai Yawat, was questioned for over four hours before being released.

At 7:50 a.m., officers provided all detainees with basil pork fried rice, fried egg, and drinking water. Approximately 11 suspects were being held in custody—nine men and two women, including Somchai and his associate. Somchai remained in full white robes, appearing tense and exhausted from lack of sleep, and refused to eat. His associate lay on the detention cell floor in his original clothing.

At 8:10 a.m., two women in their fifties claiming to be relatives of Somchai arrived and asked to visit him. They mistakenly believed a news reporter was his lawyer and told the reporter that "his lawyer has refused to take the case," then declined to discuss the matter further before entering to visit Somchai.

A detailed statement on the case is expected at 11:30 a.m. from Police Lieutenant General Natthasak Chaowasnai, commander of the Central Investigation Bureau. Bail hearings for Somchai and his associate may be held today or on September 12, 2025, as police can hold suspects in custody for a maximum of 48 hours under legal procedure.