A former monk, Phra Ajarn Khom Abhivaro, has been arrested, along with two others, for embezzling 180 million baht from Wat Pha Dhammakiri, the temple where he resides in Nakhon Ratchasima, according to the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB).
Mr Khom, 39, a former famous meditation expert, along with Wutthima, a former Phra Mor, 38, and Juthathip, 35 (surnames withheld) were arrested under a warrant issued by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases, said Pol Maj Gen Montri Thetkhan, the Crime Suppression Division commander, who is under the CIB, yesterday.
A police source said they were arrested mid-last week.
The CIB joined the case after they received a report from the National Office of Buddhism (NOB) into claims that Mr Khom collected temple donations for his own expenses.
One donation was given through Mr Wutthima (surname withheld), a former temple abbot, who passed the cash onto Ms Juthathip — Mr Khom’s sister.
Ms Juthathip put the money into Mr Khom’s bank account, while some other donations amounting to over 51 million baht were stored in foam boxes and suitcases at her house. The money has been seized by police.
The probe also found a 130-million-baht transaction that Mr Khom had managed to carve out from temple donations, bringing the total he embezzled to at least 180 million baht, the source said.
The suspects were accused of embezzlement and abuse of duty.
Ms Juthathip was also charged with receiving stolen goods, Pol Maj Gen Montri said.