Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

BANGKOK - The former abbot of a prominent Pathum Thani temple has mysteriously vanished overnight, following shocking allegations of embezzling nearly 30 million baht from the temple's coffers.

 

Wat Prachumrat, nestled in Lam Luk Ka district, was eerily deserted this Friday morning. Only local vendors and curious onlookers roamed the grounds, seeking any sign of the ex-abbot, Phra Khru Pairojdhammakhun.

 

The former spiritual leader stands accused of misappropriating an estimated 28 million baht of funds earmarked for the revered temple.

 

Moo 11 Assistant Village Headman, Kawee Thaisamak, was summoned by community members to investigate the temple after whispers of the abbot's nighttime departure circulated. Residents were keen to confirm suspicions that Phra Khru Pairojdhammakhun had indeed fled under cover of darkness.

 

Monks residing at the temple corroborated the tale of his quiet departure. They revealed that the former abbot left early in the morning, informing only his personal driver. The driver stated he was tasked simply with retrieving the abbot’s personal belongings from home. The temple now stands bereft of both its leader and his possessions.

 

Head of the Lam Luk Ka clergy, Phra Khru Sophonpataravet, has demanded a more rigorous investigation be launched. The scandal deepened when it was uncovered that Phra Khru Pairojdhammakhun had earlier been dismissed from his role for breaching ethical standards, reported the Bangkok Post.

 

An initial inquiry showed that the temple failed to account for 28 million baht collected over 28 years from land rentals. The funds, allegedly allocated for utilities and renovations, were undocumented, leaving the abbot unable to furnish any supporting financial records. His explanations failed to convince both the faithful and investigators.

 

He remains untraceable, and with mounting evidence against him, the spectre of criminal charges looms large. The district's clergy head considers it unlikely that Phra Khru Pairojdhammakhun will return.

 

The mystery surrounding the vanished abbot and the missing millions continues to grip the local community and beyond. Vigorous efforts to unravel the financial enigma are underway, as authorities seek to hold those responsible to account.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-08-02

 

12 minutes ago, webfact said:

He remains untraceable,

 

He has ascended and become one with the universe.

Surprise surprise  - actually no surprise, just normal behaviour.

take the money and run ... woo hoo hoo 

 

 

He will be at his Mum's house. 

Monks and there monkey business.

Just an everyday occurrence now days.

But we all know it's just pretend Buddhism,  for the majority.

T.I.T. 

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Monks residing at the temple corroborated the tale of his quiet departure

Monk.ey business 😎

6 minutes ago, quake said:

Monks and there monkey business.

Just an everyday occurrence now days.

But we all know it's just pretend Buddhism,  for the majority.

T.I.T. 

 

Lord Buddha would cringe if he saw what is practiced as Buddhism in Thailand. 

Overseas by now

54 minutes ago, Artisi said:

Lord Buddha would cringe if he saw what is practiced as Buddhism in Thailand. 

 

No, he wouldn't. The true goal of Buddhism is, no cringing, no anger, no craving, no attachment, and no suffering. The Buddha would probably just laugh at how his teachings have been distorted over the centuries. 

4 hours ago, JoePai said:

Overseas by now

Probably in Cambodia.

 

Another day, another case of Thai Buddhist monks' criminal activity reported in the media.

 

How is the Thai government's background checks on Thailand's 450,000-odd Buddhist monks going?  Found any monks behaving badly or with criminal backgrounds?   When will the results of the checks be released?   The 12th of never?

I bet his next con the monk will be selling false Buddhist trinkets that he has blessed to give them luck in invading the police

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

BANGKOK - The former abbot of a prominent Pathum Thani temple has mysteriously vanished overnight, following shocking allegations of embezzling nearly 30 million baht from the temple's coffers.

 

Wat Prachumrat, nestled in Lam Luk Ka district, was eerily deserted this Friday morning. Only local vendors and curious onlookers roamed the grounds, seeking any sign of the ex-abbot, Phra Khru Pairojdhammakhun.

 

The former spiritual leader stands accused of misappropriating an estimated 28 million baht of funds earmarked for the revered temple.

 

Moo 11 Assistant Village Headman, Kawee Thaisamak, was summoned by community members to investigate the temple after whispers of the abbot's nighttime departure circulated. Residents were keen to confirm suspicions that Phra Khru Pairojdhammakhun had indeed fled under cover of darkness.

 

Monks residing at the temple corroborated the tale of his quiet departure. They revealed that the former abbot left early in the morning, informing only his personal driver. The driver stated he was tasked simply with retrieving the abbot’s personal belongings from home. The temple now stands bereft of both its leader and his possessions.

 

Head of the Lam Luk Ka clergy, Phra Khru Sophonpataravet, has demanded a more rigorous investigation be launched. The scandal deepened when it was uncovered that Phra Khru Pairojdhammakhun had earlier been dismissed from his role for breaching ethical standards, reported the Bangkok Post.

 

An initial inquiry showed that the temple failed to account for 28 million baht collected over 28 years from land rentals. The funds, allegedly allocated for utilities and renovations, were undocumented, leaving the abbot unable to furnish any supporting financial records. His explanations failed to convince both the faithful and investigators.

 

He remains untraceable, and with mounting evidence against him, the spectre of criminal charges looms large. The district's clergy head considers it unlikely that Phra Khru Pairojdhammakhun will return.

 

The mystery surrounding the vanished abbot and the missing millions continues to grip the local community and beyond. Vigorous efforts to unravel the financial enigma are underway, as authorities seek to hold those responsible to account.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-08-02

 

What  mechanisms are in place to account for funds in the temples?

You do not embezzle that amount in one transaction, it has been a long term plan

 
 

Everyone from the politicians to the army to the police to the school directors to the abbots and every facet of society. 

 

Time to make a T-Shirt. 'My Abbot is Different'.

 

 

17 minutes ago, RJRS1301 said:

28 million baht collected over 28 years from land rentals.

 

20 minutes ago, RJRS1301 said:

The funds, allegedly allocated for utilities and renovations, were undocumented,

Golly, and noone checking the accounts in all that time ...

19 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

So much for humility 

Just now, RJRS1301 said:

So much for humility 

 

 

...and this is hardly a unique event I think!

10 hours ago, webfact said:

The former abbot of a prominent Pathum Thani temple has mysteriously vanished overnight, following shocking allegations of embezzling nearly 30 million baht from the temple's coffers.

Off to the good life.... a big thank you to all donaters.

10 hours ago, blaze master said:

 

He has ascended and become one with the universe.

Joining his brother Costello?

10 hours ago, webfact said:

He remains untraceable, and with mounting evidence against him, the spectre of criminal charges looms large. The district's clergy head considers it unlikely that Phra Khru Pairojdhammakhun will return.

am sure he will turn up eventually, maybe with photos of himself in a private jet or at eh beach with bikini clad women in the UE or US. This would not be the first time a monk got rich and fled from the temple to avoid questioning or arrest

Another one on his way to hell.

Maybe he just wants to build his own Temple, 

8 hours ago, Artisi said:

Surprise surprise  - actually no surprise, just normal behaviour.

Why are these guys so protected they make catholic priests look like choir boy 

7 hours ago, VincentRJ said:

 

No, he wouldn't. The true goal of Buddhism is, no cringing, no anger, no craving, no attachment, and no suffering. The Buddha would probably just laugh at how his teachings have been distorted over the centuries. 

Actually I think lord Buddha would cringe at the level of crime, corruption and stupidity being undertaken in his name. 

36 minutes ago, Artisi said:

Actually I think lord Buddha would cringe at the level of crime, corruption and stupidity being undertaken in his name. 

 

I think you do not understand the basics of Buddhism. There's an interesting story in the Buddhist scriptures that describes the Buddha's response to insults.

 

In the story, a man hurls insults at Buddha, and Buddha responds by asking, "If someone offers you a gift and you refuse it, to whom does the gift belong?" When the man answers, "To the one who offered it," Buddha explains that the same principle applies to anger and insults; if he chooses not to accept them, they remain with the person who offered them. 

 

I assume that someone who commits crime and corruption in the name of the Buddha, is equivalent to insulting the Buddha. Wouldn't you agree?
 

4 hours ago, RJRS1301 said:

So much for humility 

Humility is the complete opposite of how Thais live, from what I've seen. 

3 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

Why are these guys so protected they make catholic priests look like choir boy 

If Catholic priests were like choir boys there wouldn't be a problem.

Monks with stolen vast sums would be living in California on the run