Bangkok: The Anti-Corruption Division is preparing to conduct another search of Wat Muang following the abbot's failure to attend a scheduled appointment with police regarding the disappearance of 10 million baht in cash and 300 baht in gold. The abbot has not submitted the required financial documents of the temple to authorities, raising suspicions about the assets' origin.
According to Thai News Agency, the assets belonging to Phra Ratcha Wachiraphatthanatorn, the abbot of Wat Muang, mysteriously vanished from his quarters. Phra Nitat disclosed that the source of the missing money and gold was unclear, prompting the Anti-Corruption Division to investigate further.
The Anti-Corruption Division police are set to search the temple located on Soi Petchkasem 63, Petchkasem Road, in the Lak Song Subdistrict of Bang Khae District. The abbot was expected to meet with police at 10:00 a.m. but failed to appear. Despite being seen walking within his quarters, the abbot has not been forthcoming with the financial documents, and no arrests have been made.
Pol. Lt. Col. Charoonkiat Pankaew, deputy commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, confirmed that Crime Suppression Division officers had previously coordinated with the abbot to obtain documents detailing the temple's financial transactions. The abbot had promised to bring the documents himself but has yet to do so. Consequently, officers have been dispatched to perform a comprehensive search of the entire temple premises to gather evidence. The deputy commander emphasized that the operation is focused on evidence collection, and no individuals will be arrested or detained during this search.