Ayutthaya abbot disrobes as top temple official is arrested by police who worked undercover for months

[Coss]

...Disciples secretly turned against a celebrated Ayutthaya abbot before police arrested him on Thursday over a ฿92 million temple fund scandal. They supplied investigators with video clips, financial records and details of his relationship with a woman.

Crucially, the disclosures triggered an almost two-month covert investigation into money flowing from the historic royal temple. Police then searched five locations across three provinces. By Thursday afternoon, the abbot had left the monkhood. Meanwhile, his temple administrator had arrived handcuffed at Crime Suppression Division headquarters.

Police arrested Phra Wachirayan, better known as Luang Pho Atichot Dhammavaro or Luang Pho Chot, early on September 10. The 66-year-old headed Wat Phutthaisawan in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. Notably, he was a high-ranking monk with a large following. He also held a royally conferred ecclesiastical rank. Wat Phutthaisawan is a historic royal monastery in the former Siamese capital. Yet the investigation began within Atichot’s own circle. ...

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[bust]

Who would have believed this type of behavior could be carried out by an Abbot

[Coss]

Or a Costello even...