Anutin's gold amulet revisited after abbot arrest

NOB seeks destruction of table in Ayutthaya abbot case

Pictures courtesy of Amarin

Thailand's National Office of Buddhism (NOB) has asked police to destroy a dining table from Phutthaisawan Temple in Ayutthaya after it appeared in explicit security footage involving the temple's former abbot.

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) seized the table during a search of the monks' quarters on September 10. Officers said it was removed at the NOB's request, rather than as evidence in the separate embezzlement investigation.

Former abbot arrested over alleged temple losses

CIB officers arrested the temple's 66-year-old abbot, Phra wWachirayan Wi, over alleged embezzlement said to have caused the temple losses of 92 million baht.

Police identified a 47-year-old Thai woman, Punyawee, who worked at the temple, as being involved in the alleged embezzlement. She was also reportedly found to have been in a sexual relationship with Atichot.

The relationship emerged while officers were investigating the temple's finances. Security camera recordings from the monks' accommodation showed the pair engaging in sexual activity in the kitchen and on a round dining table in the abbot's quarters.

The footage was later widely circulated on Thai social media, drawing public criticism and intensifying attention on the case.

Buddhism office calls table inauspicious

Police took the dining table to their division office after the September 10 search, prompting public questions over how it was linked to the financial allegations.

Officers later said the NOB wanted it destroyed because it was considered deeply inauspicious and unsuitable to remain at a royal temple. The office also feared its continued presence could deter worshippers from visiting Phutthaisawan Temple to make merit.

The NOB was additionally concerned that people might come to the temple simply to see the table following the viral footage, rather than for religious purposes.

Amulet sellers offer refunds

The decision to remove the table has been criticised online. Many netizens argued that the object itself was not responsible for the alleged wrongdoing, which they said concerned those involved in the case.

The controversy has also affected valuable Buddha amulets made by the former abbot. Among the most discussed is the Nuea Duang amulet, which originally sold for more than 3 million baht.

Several amulet experts and collectors who originally sold the items said they would accept returned amulets made under the former abbot's name and refund customers.

11 September 2026

It should be that a monk is a specific "occupation" and therefor there must be strict rules. In Thailand it seems that everybody can become a monk, even if there is a police record. This abbot is an example that he has violated the Buddhism rules more than once. But where is the control of NOB? It should be impossible for individual monks to have money, as as a symbol when they enter the temple they throw away THB to show that they don't need anything, but as soon as they are a monk they get money. All money should be for the temple, not for the individual monks.

Monks who can't behave in what way, such as drinking, sex, drugs etc should be banned from monkhood.

Again there must be enforcement of rules, as now we can read several times about misbehaviors.

How is it possible to preach that alcohol must be banned on Buddhist days as you have monks behaving like this, and have sex, drugs, or are drinking or even driving cars??

This abbot installed 60 cctv around the temple to alert him from anyone approaching his hut.

If not for the whistle blower tip off, he'll still be enjoying his honeymoon.

According to local news, more than 700 mil baht has been embezzled.

UPDATE

Former Ayutthaya abbot held over temple funds embezzlement

Thai police have arrested Phra Wachirayan Wi, the former abbot of Ayutthaya's Wat Phutthaisawan, over allegations that temple donations were embezzled. A 47-year-old woman, Punyavee Rungrueang, has also been arrested, with police alleging she helped manage the proceeds.

The 66-year-old monk was defrocked after his arrest and has not commented publicly. Punyavee, who faces a charge of abetting a state official in illegal activities, has also made no public comment.

Wat Phutthaisawan is a prominent 14th-Century temple in Thailand's ancient capital. Phra Wachirayan was known for producing highly sought-after coin amulets, with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reportedly owning some of them.

Donations allegedly bypassed temple accounts

Police said on Friday 11 September 2026, they had identified two streams of money connected to donation receipts issued in the temple's name: one for renovations and another for amulets and other sacred objects.

Investigators allege Phra Wachirayan pocketed donations on more than 20 occasions over two years. Neither stream entered the temple's account, lead investigator Pattanasak Bupphasuwan told a news conference.

"But the money from both streams did not enter the temple's account. Not a single baht," he said, according to reports.

Police raided the monk's residence on Thursday and found cash and gold bars. They found 138 million baht in cash, 290 million baht in bank deposits, and 1,066 baht weight of gold.

Officers examining CCTV footage at the residence also found a clip showing the monk having sex with a woman on his dining table. Buddhist monks in Thailand take vows of celibacy and renounce material possessions.

At Punyavee's home, police seized 35 gold amulets and about 1.5kg of gold bars and jewellery, estimated to be worth 6.04 million baht. The Bangkok Post reported that tens of millions of baht moved through her bank accounts each year.

12 September 2026