Police File Serious Charges Against Former Abbot and Chanting Master of Wat Bang Khlan for Embezzling 9 Million Baht

Police have filed serious corruption charges against the former abbot and former chanting master of Wat Bang Khlan in Phetchaburi's Po Thale District for embezzling 9 million baht from amulet sales. The investigation, jointly conducted by the Buddhist Clergy Department and the National Anti-Corruption Commission, expanded the case after discovering that the suspects and others conspired to conceal money from amulet sales, failed to record it in the temple's accounts, and secretly transferred it to personal bank accounts.

On April 27, 2025, Deputy Police Commander Charoon Kiati Pankaew and Buddhist Clergy Police Chief Prasong Chaleimpan summoned the defendants to hear the charges. The accused are Phra Khru Pisuddhi Warakorn, the former abbot, and Phorn Pan Peng, 73, the former chanting master. Both face charges under Criminal Code Section 147 (embezzlement), Section 157 (misconduct in office), and violations of the Anti-Corruption Act.

Deputy Police Commander Charoon revealed that the case stems from internal temple conflicts lasting over 11 years, before complaints were filed regarding financial irregularities related to the production of "Luang Pho Ngern" amulets in late 2022, intended to fund construction of a Thai-style pavilion. The investigation uncovered several serious irregularities: over 9 million baht from amulet sales was not recorded in the temple's account books; shell accounts were used to receive amulet pre-order transfers instead of the temple's account; and when questioned, the defendants claimed the money was used to purchase land for the temple, but only 190,000 baht in actual land purchases was found, with the remaining funds unaccounted for.

Additionally, investigators found that temple funds totaling approximately 9 million baht were used to hire lawyers to pursue cases against villagers who investigated and opposed the abbot's administration. Investigators determined that these actions constitute organized corruption using official positions for personal gain and unlawfully misappropriating temple assets, with the "Luang Pho Ngern Foundation" within the temple allegedly serving as a mechanism to benefit the suspects' associates.

Both defendants initially denied all charges, but police assert they have clear financial evidence and transaction trails, and will pursue the case to the fullest extent of the law.

"A temple must be a place that strengthens people's spirits, not a source of profit for certain individuals," Deputy Police Commander Charoon emphasized.