Famous Monk in Thailand Arrested for Embezzling Temple Assets

In Thailand, a senior monk named Phra Ajarn Khom (Now Disrobed) has been accused of embezzling assets worth over 300 million baht (US$885,000), with gold bars and cash discovered buried in the back of a temple.

According to Thailand’s Chief of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), Pol. Lt. Gen. Jirapop Phuridej, the former monk operated as a group and hid money he embezzled in his younger sister’s bank account.

Later, the investigative team discovered 19 million baht in gold bars and another 80 million baht in cash concealed in weel-secured bags at the back of the temple.

 

According to Pol. Lt. Gen. Jirapop, the suspects began stealing from the shrine in 2020. He stated that authorities are still examining the case and looking for new proof because they now have only three suspects.

He emphasized that if the investigators discovered other suspects, they would quickly prosecute them for the temple embezzlement.

Regarding the monk’s financial transactions, Pol. Lt. Gen. Jirapop stated that it would take some time to thoroughly review all the documents: the temple alone has up to six bank accounts.

Officers petitioned the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases yesterday to extend the arrest of the three suspects for another 12 days while the investigation is ongoing.

Mr. Khom, 39, his younger sister Juthathip Phubodiwarochuphan, 35, and Wuthima Thaomor, a 38-year-old former temple abbot, are among them.

They were detained on suspicion of stealing 300 million baht from the temple. Mr. Khom is also accused of having sexual encounters with several of his female supporters.

On May 1, Phra Ajarn Khom, now known as Khom Khongkaeo, was defrocked. Mr. Khom became well-known for his meditation technique and has a large number of celebrity followers. Of course, he has rejected all of the claims. The temple is still not open to the public.

Monks Embezzling and Behaving Badly in Thailand

Embezzlement by monks in Thailand is a serious issue that has received widespread attention in recent years. Buddhist monasteries, which are meant to be centers of spiritual practice and service to the community, have been tarnished by a number of high-profile cases of embezzlement and financial misconduct.

One of the most notable cases involved the abbot of the famous Dhammakaya Temple, who was accused of embezzling millions of dollars from the temple’s coffers. The scandal prompted a major crackdown on corruption within the Thai Buddhist establishment, with many other cases of embezzlement and financial irregularities being uncovered in the process.

The Thai government has taken steps to address the problem, including establishing a committee to investigate corruption within the Buddhist clergy and passing laws to regulate the financial activities of religious organizations. However, the problem persists, and there is still a great deal of work to be done to root out corruption and ensure that the country’s Buddhist institutions are living up to their ideals.

Unfortunately, there have been numerous reports of monks behaving badly in Thailand, which has caused significant concern and backlash within the Buddhist community and society at large. Some of the most common issues include sexual misconduct, drug use, and financial impropriety.

Monks engaging in inappropriate behavior

Sexual misconduct by monks has been a particularly disturbing problem, with numerous cases of monks engaging in inappropriate behavior with women and even children. These cases have prompted calls for greater regulation and oversight of the monastic community to ensure that such behavior is not tolerated.

Drug use is another problem, with some monks being caught using or even trafficking in illegal substances. This behavior is not only illegal, but it also violates the basic precepts of Buddhist practice, which emphasizes the importance of living a life free from attachment and intoxication.

Finally, financial impropriety is another issue that has plagued the Thai Buddhist community, with numerous cases of monks embezzling funds or misusing donations intended for charitable purposes. This behavior is particularly troubling given the importance of generosity and selflessness in Buddhist philosophy.

Overall, these cases of monks behaving badly in Thailand have highlighted the need for greater accountability and oversight within the monastic community, as well as a renewed commitment to the values of Buddhism and its emphasis on moral and ethical behavior.

Monks Save Sex Starved Monk, 27 Who Severed His Penis

Monks Save Sex Starved Monk, 27 Who Severed His Penis