Police Await Anti-Money-Laundering Data in Temple Fund Embezzlement Case
Police are investigating a former temple abbot and associate accused of embezzling funds, awaiting financial documents from anti-money laundering authorities to trace the money trail this week.
On September 14, Deputy National Police Commissioner Pattanasak Boobphasuwun revealed progress in the investigation of former Phutthaithaisawari Temple abbot Atichioti and a person known as Sikae, who are accused of misappropriating temple funds. Officers are currently gathering evidence and examining financial trails. Pattanasak said authorities are awaiting data and documents from the Anti-Money Laundering Office to support the investigation, expecting to receive the information within this week. Investigators will then conduct a thorough examination of connections between all individuals involved in the case to establish clear facts. If evidence links any person to wrongdoing, they will be summoned for questioning and prosecuted according to law. Regarding reports that an inspection was conducted at Chullamani Temple in Samut Songkhram, Pattanasak stated that the source of that information is unknown and that the Anti-Corruption Division has taken no action in that matter, clarifying that the reported inspection is not their operation.
