The police Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has uncovered more than 300 million baht in bank accounts linked to former Wat Phutthaisawan abbot Atichot Tanprasert and his close female associate as it widens its probe into suspected financial misconduct.
CIB commissioner Pol Lt Gen Natthasak Chaowanasai said police are investigating suspected financial irregularities involving Mr Atichot, 66, and Punyavee Rungrueang, 47. Authorities have already filed money-laundering charges and sent information to the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo), which has broader powers to examine financial transactions.
Additional funds found in the former abbot’s accounts have also been referred to the Amlo in addition to the 300 million baht reported earlier.
Pol Lt Gen Natthasak said inves- tigators are awaiting more financial information before considering action against others who may be involved, adding that the investigation will proceed into its second and third phases.
He also addressed rumours about similar activities at Wat Chulamanee in Samut Songkhram, saying the CIB had found no evidence of wrongdoing and urged the public and media not to damage confidence in Buddhism based on unverified claims.
Pol Lt Gen Natthasak also denied reports the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) has opened an investigation into a new temple.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt, who oversees the National Office of Buddhism (NOB), said authorities had coordinated with the CIB to check reports concerning other temples and found no new cases so far. He said initial checks of Wat Chulamanee had found nothing irregular.
He warned that accusing individuals without sufficient evidence could violate their rights and harm Buddhism. He urged journalists and the public not to believe or share claims simply because they were circulated through messaging apps.
“If you don’t have enough evidence, don’t accuse someone. It’s bad for the religion. Don’t believe everything that has been shared online,” he said.
Mr Pakorn previously revealed that the government was accelerating measures to prevent misconduct by monks through stronger systems, including a central electronic database of monks to help the Supreme Sangha Council (SSC) check their backgrounds.
He said 180,000 of the country’s 200,000 monks have been registered.