Former Monk's Associate Rose From Bankruptcy to Wealth Overnight
Police arrested a former abbot in Ayutthaya for embezzling 92 million baht from temple funds, which allegedly flowed to a young woman close to him who went from bankruptcy to sudden wealth including two houses and 144 million baht in cash.
Police have opened a timeline investigation into a young woman known as Gaa, who went from bankruptcy and unemployment to sudden wealth, acquiring two houses and large cash holdings with no known source of funds. Temple assets and money appear to have flowed to this woman close to Somchai.
The Suppression Division arrested Somchai, the former abbot of Buddhaisawan Temple in Ayutthaya Province, accused of embezzling 92 million baht from temple funds, while also detaining Gaa, a young woman close to Somchai. Large amounts of cash and gold were seized, and a video surfaced showing drug use between Somchai and Gaa.
On September 11, 2569, Deputy Police General Nattasak Chaowasnasai, deputy commander of the National Police, revealed that the Suppression Division is investigating two matters: monastic law violations and temple fund embezzlement through personal bank transfers despite issuing temple receipts, leading to the arrests of Somchai and Gaa. Police conducted operations at six locations across multiple provinces, seizing substantial assets. Deputy Police General Pattanasak Boophasuwon, commander of the Suppression Division, disclosed two money trails: receipts issued to a novice monk sponsor for 2.8 million baht and donations for temple renovation repairs totalling 89 million baht—92 million combined—yet no funds entered the temple account, confirming the abbot's wrongdoing. The division sought court arrest warrants for both suspects, executing six-point operations across four provinces.
The Suppression Division chief revealed seized assets totalling 215 million baht hidden in various locations, including Thai and foreign cash of 144 million baht, gold bars and ornaments weighing 1,066 baht, amulets, and land deeds. The division, Anti-Corruption Commission, and the National Buddhism Office will expand charges against related parties and return funds to the temple. The two suspects will be remanded to Corruption Court Region 1 in Saraburi this afternoon.
Sub-Lieutenant Police Colonel Jetnipon Siriwan, chief of the first Suppression Division unit, outlined the case timeline: a novice monk sponsor was identified from 2550 onward, though his conduct violations remain unclear. He declined to elaborate on their acquaintance, but noted that this woman suddenly became wealthy. Though work was possible, she was declared bankrupt from 2562, discharged in 2565—within three years she owned two houses valued at 4 million baht and held cash and valuables. He stated clearly she had no employment income and questioned where her wealth came from. Temple assets and funds from monastic supporters flowed to this favoured woman, leading to prosecution.
