Senior Monk Denounces Arrested Abbot as 'Thief in Robes'

Phra Phayom Kalyana, a respected Buddhist scholar and abbot of Suan Kaew Temple, has harshly condemned arrested abbot Luang Pho Atichoti of Phutthaithaisworn Temple in Ayutthaya, calling him a "thief in robes" after police apprehended him for allegedly embezzling over 92 million baht in temple money and transferring funds to close associates' accounts. Preliminary asset investigations discovered possessions worth more than 500 million baht, comprising 290 million baht in multiple bank accounts, 138 million baht in cash kept in his quarters, and over 1,000 baht weight in gold bars, along with closed-circuit footage evidence of misconduct within the temple grounds.

Phra Phayom stated that Buddhist teachings are genuine, but those who behave in such ways should not be called monks—Buddha would call them "thief-monks" for stealing religious funds for personal use. He noted the accused stole 100 to 200 million baht in temple money, far exceeding a recent bank robbery of only 1.5 million baht, and required special police units to arrest him like a major criminal. The elder warned other monks and abbots engaging in similar behavior to stop immediately or face arrest.

Regarding the spiritual power of amulets blessed by such a monk, Phra Phayom questioned what sanctity they could possibly hold, stating nothing surpasses Buddha's teachings of wisdom, awakening, and enlightenment. He criticized devotees for prioritizing miraculous amulet blessings over genuine teachings, only to have the money squandered on women and rituals because the abbot lacked self-control. He concluded that such scandals would not occur if Buddhist monastic discipline were properly maintained, particularly the rule forbidding monks from being alone with women, which would protect them from such transgressions.