Foundation Defends Abbot Against False Accusations, Warns Legal Action
A Buddhist foundation defended Phu Phaa Saong Meditation Monastery's abbot against repeated allegations of impropriety in Nakhon Ratchasima, vowing legal action against media outlets and officials who spread false claims. Multiple governmen
The Dhammayuttika Nikaya Foundation declared on September 15, 2026 that Phra Maha Theeranath, abbot of Phu Phaa Saong Meditation Monastery in Nakhon Ratchasima, is innocent of allegations spread by media outlets and popular news programmes regarding claims he has a wife and children, was forcibly disrobed from Wat Rajabophit, encroached on forest land, and mismanaged temple funds.
Anantchai Chaidech, the foundation's president, explained that similar complaints have surfaced four times since 2007, 2012, 2015, and most recently 2026. All investigations by the Sangha council, the National Buddhist Office, and nine government agencies concluded unanimously that all charges lack merit and the abbot is innocent under Buddhist discipline.
Regarding the woman accused of being the abbot's wife and managing 45 million baht, the foundation clarified she is actually Sriprapha Klongkamnuan, the daughter of the abbot's late mother. The family is a devout lay household that donated billions of baht to construct temples and monastery buildings as religious merit, not commercial activity. Wat Rajabophit has also confirmed it never forcibly disrobed the abbot as claimed.
The foundation alleged the controversy stems from jealousy among senior monks from Bangkok and Wang Nam Khiao areas who spread defamatory information. Deputy chair Mahakham Thapretatsen added that the abbot ordained as a novice under respected masters including Luang Pu Maha Bua and Luang Pu Herng, and when he temporarily left the monkhood in 1994 before re-ordaining, official temple records and documentation clearly confirm he was never forcibly disrobed.
When the abbot returned to ordination a second time, he was assigned to maintain a 2,800-hectare forest in Phu Phrakan, which the Department of Forestry later allocated as "Phu Phaa Saong Meditation Monastery" on the mountain under his supervision, with a separate temple below managed by a different abbot.
Regarding the bank account issue, because the meditation monastery had not yet gained official status as a registered temple or legal entity, the account was opened in a person's name to receive donations for construction. All funds were used exclusively for religious structures and Buddhist purposes.
Anantchai concluded by questioning how government documents leaked to media and announced the foundation will prosecute officials involved under Section 157 of the law. The foundation also gave media outlets and the news programme seven days to issue a written apology to the abbot, warning that legal action will follow if the deadline is missed.
