Bangkok police have detained a Buddhist priest after it is claimed he allegedly extorted more than US$ 9 million from his renowned church, which was funded by donations from followers.
Abbot Phra Thammachiranuwat from Wat Rai Khing is accused by investigators from the Central Investigation Bureau ( CIB ) of stealing more than 300 million baht ( US$ 9.05 million ) from the temple’s bank account into his own.
According to local media reports, investigators found money flowing from the church on Bangkok’s eastern outskirts to an illegal online betting platform that offered casino card games.
In Thailand with a Buddhist majority, churches rely heavily on donations from “merit-making” ceremonies in hopes of receiving good fortune and better resurrection.
At a press conference on Thursday ( May 15 ), CIB deputy commissioner Jaroonkiat Pankaew claimed that Phra Thammachiranuwat had been charged with corruption and malfeasance.
This arrest is intended to clean our religion, according to Jaroonkiat.