Thai Temple Under Investigation in Multi-Million Baht Scandal

BANGKOK, Sept 16 (TNA) - A prominent temple in Pathum Thani is facing a police investigation after a lawyer for a Thai woman based in Germany submitted new financial evidence related to a 12.2 million baht money transfer case.

The complaint, filed on August 14, accuses a high-profile monk of using the woman, identified as "Ploy," as a conduit for allegedly moving temple funds. Ploy, who was reportedly hired to manage a Buddhist association for 174,000 baht per month, allegedly received money into her Thai bank account and was instructed to transfer it to the association in Germany.

According to her lawyer, Ploy's suspicions were raised when the monk later attempted to persuade her to transfer money from a foundation's account directly into his personal German bank account.

The lawyer emphasized that the complaint is focused on financial transparency, not a personal dispute. A police source confirmed that the case has been referred to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), which is now reviewing the allegations of official misconduct to decide whether to proceed with a formal investigation.

The case gained public attention after well-known lawyer Ananchai Chaidej revealed that an abbot and eight other individuals had been accused of embezzlement and money laundering. 

In response to the allegations, the National Office of Buddhism has dispatched officials to the temple to investigate the matter. The monk is currently a suspect, and a statement from the temple is expected later today. -819 (TNA)