“Bad Monk Buster” Targets Corruption Again
Police Major General Jaroonkiat Pankaew, deputy commissioner of Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau, has launched a new probe into alleged temple corruption. Known for his uncompromising pursuit of corrupt monks, Jaroonkiat told reporters: “I am reviewing the case, and the preliminary information is very interesting.”
Complaints have been filed against the abbot of a well-known Pathum Thani temple with the Crime Suppression Division (CSD). Authorities plan a full review of the temple’s financial transactions, promising that all parties involved will be held accountable.
Germany Connection: How the Laundering Worked
The abbot allegedly contacted a Thai woman living in Germany and persuaded her to transfer money on his behalf. He claimed the funds were personal, but they originated from the temple’s account. The woman reportedly sent 12.2 million baht (€306,000) in four installments:
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6 million baht
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2.7 million baht
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2 million baht
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1.5 million baht
Suspicion arose only when the abbot pressured her to move funds again—from a corporate account to his private German account—revealing the true source.
27 Transfers Reveal Sophisticated Scheme
In total, the woman executed 27 transfers from Thailand to Germany, plus two additional domestic transfers. The intricate scheme was exposed with the help of Ananchai Chaidej, president of the Dharma Army Foundation, after the woman contacted the organization and the CSD.
A Pattern of Punishment
Jaroonkiat is no stranger to such cases. The “Bad Monk Buster” previously exposed senior monks embezzling temple funds to finance personal relationships, often resulting in defrocking and criminal prosecution. Now, the Pathum Thani abbot faces similar scrutiny.
Police will carefully trace the temple’s financial flows. If the allegations are confirmed, the abbot could face both defrocking and a lengthy prison sentence—another dramatic chapter in Thailand’s ongoing fight against temple corruption.