Event Brief
Thai abbot arrested over US$2.8m embezzlement scandal
By The BriefBrief · Sources (1)
Filed: Sep 11, 2026 at 5:10 AM ET
Summary: Thai police arrested Phra Wachirayan Wi, a 66-year-old abbot of Wat Phutthaisawan in Ayutthaya, on Sept 10 on suspicion of embezzling US$2.8 million meant for his monastery. A 47-year-old woman accused of helping convert and conceal the money was also arrested, after leaked CCTV footage of the pair having sex in the monk’s residence was widely broadcast.
WHO: Thai police; Phra Wachirayan Wi; 47-year-old female accomplice
WHAT: Arrested a senior Buddhist abbot and a suspected female accomplice over alleged embezzlement and money laundering involving monastery funds.
WHEN: Sep 10, 2026
WHERE: Ayutthaya, Thailand
WHY: The arrests were made on suspicion of embezzling and laundering US$2.8 million intended for the monastery, with the woman accused of helping convert and conceal the money.
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