Bangkok police made coordinated raids on Buddhist temples around Thailand and arrested senior monks for alleged embezzlement, including members of the Sangha Supreme Council.
Phra Phrom Dilok, a member of the Sangha Supreme Council and abbot of Wat Sam Phraya, is arrested at his temple in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok. (Photo by Wassayos Ngamkham)
Bangkok (VNA) – Bangkok police made coordinated raids on Buddhist temples aroundThailand and arrested senior monks for alleged embezzlement, including membersof the Sangha Supreme Council.
The taskforces from the CrimeSuppression Division raided Wat Sam Phraya, Wat Sa Ket and Wat Samphanthawong pagodasin Bangkok, Wat Onoi in Nakhon Pathom province and Wat Kudeethong in Sing Buriprovince.
At Wat Onoi pagoda, policearrested abbot Buddha Isara who supported Bangkok Shutdown movement in 2013-2014.He was held on a charge of supporting robbery during the demonstrations led bythe People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).
Phrom Sitthi in Wat Sa Ket(Golden Mount) was also arrested. Police suspect Wat Sa Ket of embezzling moneyfrom two Buddhism-related projects worth 69 million baht (2.2 million USD). About4.1 million USD were transferred to 10 bank accounts of Wat Sa Ket abbot.
Major General MaitreeChimcherd, Commander of the Crime Suppression Division, said most fundsallocated to Wat Sa Ket, Wat Sam Phraya and Wat Samphanthawong were dishonestlytransferred to outsiders.
About 90 percent out of 69 million Thaipopulation follow Buddhism. Thailand’s temples, which earn billions of USDevery year from donations, have been embroiled in scandals ranging from murder,sex and drugs to shady financial dealings.
Under pressure from publicopinions and authorities, Buddhist establishments have enforced tougherdiscipline for more than 300,000 monks.-VNA
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Phra Phrom Dilok, a member of the Sangha Supreme Council and abbot of Wat Sam Phraya, is arrested at his temple in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok. (Photo by Wassayos Ngamkham) 
