Bangkok: Police, the Anti-Corruption Division, the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, and officials from the Office of Buddhism recently conducted an operation at Wat Prayurawong to review the temple's financial records. This initiative was not aimed at the abbot's quarters, Phra Phrombandit, but rather focused on the temple's monetary affairs.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Lt. Col. Siripong Sritula, acting deputy secretary-general of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), and Pol. Col. Sathapana Junnawat, director of Division 6, Crime Suppression Division, joined forces with officials from the National Office of Buddhism. They approached Phra Phrombandit, the abbot of Wat Prayurawongsawas Worawihan, seeking information related to the temple's financial records. This inquiry follows the involvement of the former assistant abbot, Phra Khun Prasit, with a woman known as Ms. Golf, and reports of money allegedly removed from donation boxes found at her residence. The investigation aims to trace the temple's financial operations, suspected of being partly embezzled.
Post-inspection, the Director of the 6th Division of the Anti-Corruption Division stated he could not divulge details, leaving it to his superiors to explain. He assured that the day's activities were merely an information-gathering exercise. An official from the National Office of Buddhism emphasized that the investigation was a collaborative effort among relevant agencies and was unrelated to the abbot, Phra Phrombandit.
Furthermore, officials from the three agencies proceeded to Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU) to scrutinize documents and evidence of other financial transactions. This move was necessitated by the former Phra Prasit's previous role as vice-chancellor of MCU and his academic status as an associate professor. He also served as the acting abbot of Wat Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. The investigation extends to the financial dealings across the system, in parallel with the inspection at the Buddhist University in Phitsanulok Province. The inquiry is not limited to connections with 'Ms. Golf' but also explores potential issues within the MCU procurement system, which has faced prior complaints.