Thai abbot and lover held over £5m temple cash and gold haul after CCTV sex tapes

A senior Thai Buddhist monk has admitted a two-year secret relationship with a female aide after police raided his historic monastery and seized a fortune in cash, gold and jewellery linked to suspected embezzlement of temple donations.

Phra Wachirayan Wi, 66 – better known as Luang Pho Atichot or Atichot Thanprasert – was arrested last week at Wat Phutthaisawan, a prominent 14th-century royal temple in the ancient capital of Ayutthaya. He was immediately defrocked for breaking his vows of celibacy and renouncing material possessions.

His alleged partner, 47-year-old Punyawee “Ae” Rungrueang, was detained on related charges.

Officers examining CCTV from the abbot’s private quarters discovered footage of the pair engaging in sexual activity, including on a round dining table used for meals. Clips of the encounters, some dated earlier this year, circulated widely on Thai media and social platforms, sparking public outrage in the Buddhist-majority nation. The National Office of Buddhism later requested the table be seized and destroyed, describing it as a stain on the faith.

Investigators say the former abbot issued more than 20 unauthorised donation receipts in the temple’s name over roughly two years. Around 89 million baht (about £2 million) was purportedly raised for renovations and a further 2.8 million baht for Buddhist amulets and sacred objects. “Not a single baht entered the temple’s account,” lead investigator Pattanasak Bupphasuwan told a news conference.

Police initially estimated losses at around 92–100 million baht (£2.1–£2.3 million). Raids on the monk’s quarters and the woman’s home later uncovered far larger sums: more than 138 million baht in cash alone, bank deposits exceeding 290 million baht, over 1,000 baht-weight of gold (roughly 16 kg) valued at around 70 million baht, jewellery, watches, gemstones, land title deeds and amulets. Total seized assets have been put at around 215 million baht or higher (approaching £5 million), with authorities still sorting personal property from temple funds.

During questioning the former abbot admitted the two-year romance but has denied the financial charges, according to Thai reports.

Rungrueang is accused of helping convert and conceal the money, with large sums allegedly flowing through her accounts. Both were refused bail and remanded in custody while the Central Investigation Bureau expands its probe into additional people, bank accounts and assets.

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Wat Phutthaisawan is a well-known royal monastery whose devotees have included government officials, business figures and members of the police and military. The former abbot was celebrated for producing popular amulets, including the “Above Fate” or “status elevation” type; Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has been reported among those who own his creations.

The scandal is the latest to hit Thailand’s clergy. Last year a woman was accused of blackmailing at least 11 senior monks with intimate footage and extracting nearly $12 million in temple funds. Separate cases have involved alleged misuse of donations for an HIV hospice and other embezzlement claims, fuelling public demands for tighter oversight of temple finances.

Central Investigation Bureau commissioner Pol Lt Gen Natthasak Chaowanasai said the force would “expand the investigation to identify other people involved and restore public confidence in Buddhism.” Police continue to trace the money trail and examine whether further suspects or assets are linked to the case.