Approximately 60 million units of assets transferred to Wat Rai Khing
A Lowdown on the Scandalous Saga at Wat Rai Khing
In a shocking turn of events, the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has delivered a whopping 58.6 million baht worth of assets back to Wat Rai Khing, as part of an ongoing corruption case implicating the temple's ex-abbot, Yaem Inkrungkao.
At a return ceremony held at the temple grounds in Nakhon Pathom, Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat Pankaew, the CIB deputy commissioner, handed over 17 asset listings to Phra Ratcha Watchira Sutaporn, the acting abbot. These assets included a slew of lavish items like two Mercedes-Benzes, a Toyota Alphard, a BMW, land deeds from four provinces, and an astonishing 100 gold-encased Buddha amulets.
Yaem, who's 70 years young, voluntarily surrendered to the police following the issuance of an arrest warrant, accusing him of embezzling over 300 million baht from temple funds to fuel his online gambling obsession.
The returned assets paint a picture of extravagance, providing a glimpse into the alleged ill-gotten wealth of the disgraced ex-abbot. But the investigation doesn't stop there. CIB's probe has led to the arrest of several close associates of Yaem, including Aranyawan Wangthapan, a 28-year-old suspect believed to be an online gambling broker.
This operation exposed a troubling pattern of wrongdoing and concealment. Assets were purchased under family members' names, and assets were dispersed to evade scrutiny. Investigators tracked the embezzled funds from Yaem to Ms Aranyawan, who reportedly used the money to acquire land and other properties.
Over 60 million baht in cash is said to have been funneled to two more suspects, Toy and Chatchai, who are currently in custody. While some of the suspects claimed the funds originated from legitimate work, police investigations suggest otherwise. None of the suspects appear to have credible income sources, fueling suspicion that the assets were indeed sourced from stolen funds.
The investigation into this high-profile case continues, with the CIB working tirelessly to uncover any possible accomplices. This sprawling scandal has shaken the faith of many and left the future of Wat Rai Khing uncertain, but it's also offered a path for renewal and recovery under the acting abbot, Phra Ratcha Watchira Sutaporn.
The case highlights broader concerns about corruption and the abuse of religious institutions in Thailand, a topic that continues to spark debate and outrage within the nation.
Enrichment Snippets:- The initial investigation began quietly, with the Crime Suppression Division employing an undercover deputy inspector who posed as a temple visitor for eight months.- During this time, observed financial irregularities included about 2 billion baht funneled through 84 bank accounts linked to the temple, as well as personal accounts of the former abbot and an online gambling broker.- So far, three individuals have been arrested: the former abbot Yaem Inkrungkao, Aranyawan Wangthapan (a 28-year-old woman suspected of acting as an online gambling broker), and Ekkapot Phukhang, a former monk and close aide to the abbot.- Charges include embezzlement, aiding misappropriation of state assets, public office misconduct, fraud, and joint money laundering.- This scandal reflects broader concerns about corruption and abuse of religious institutions in Thailand.
The ongoing investigation into the corruption case at Wat Rai Khing, involving the ex-abbot Yaem Inkrungkao, has uncovered a connection between the temple's ill-gotten wealth and the business activities of suspect Aranyawan Wangthapan, who is believed to be an online gambling broker. This general-news story also highlights the broader issue of financial mismanagement and crime-and-justice concerns in Thailand, particularly with regards to the abuse of religious institutions.
