Police Seize Millions in Cash and Gold From Abbot's Associate
Police arrested the abbot of a temple in Ayutthaya after discovering over 92 million baht in unauthorized transactions; officers seized millions in cash, gold bars, and religious artifacts from his quarters and an associate's home.
The Anti-Corruption Division arrested Phra Wachiryan, formerly known as Luang Por Choti, abbot of Putthai Sawan Temple in Ayutthaya, following a warrant issued by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct on September 8, 2025. He faces charges of embezzling temple assets, abuse of official duty, and money laundering through an associate. Investigators uncovered approximately 20 unauthorized receipts issued in the temple's name over a two-year period, totaling damages exceeding 92 million baht.
During the arrest at the temple, police reviewed CCTV footage showing the abbot engaging in misconduct with his close associate. A search of the abbot's quarters at Putthai Sawan Temple revealed large quantities of cash requiring bank note counters to process, multiple gold bars worth millions of baht, a two-kilogram solid gold Buddha statue, and other valuable Buddhist amulets.
On September 10, 2025, officers conducted a separate raid on the residence of Punya Vee, a 47-year-old woman and close associate of the former abbot. The search uncovered multiple stacks of cash worth several million baht, numerous gold bars, antique Buddhist amulets, and collectible religious items. Police seized all assets as evidence and evidence of the suspected money laundering scheme.
