Nakhon Pathom, Thailand – A once highly respected abbot faced ruin as he was sentenced to 50 years in prison over a massive temple fraud scandal involving more than two billion baht.
Abbot sentenced to 50 years in prison
The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct found former abbot of Wat Rai Khing, Yaem Ingkrungkao, guilty. The 70-year-old was ordered to serve a total of 50 years behind bars.
He was convicted of abuse of office and embezzlement. As a senior monk, he was legally considered a state official, which led to a particularly severe sentence.
Billions vanished from temple funds
At the centre of the scandal were more than two billion baht in temple funds. These amounts were alleged to have been systematically diverted into private bank accounts.
Investigators found that large sums were transferred from the temple’s account first to the abbot’s personal account and then on to other destinations. Part of the money apparently flowed into online gambling.
Accomplices also receive prison terms
In addition to the former abbot, four other people were convicted. They included a woman named Aranyawan, a former monk and a married couple who worked at temple events.
Each of them received eight-year prison sentences for allegedly assisting the abbot in his schemes. All four had already announced plans to appeal the verdict.
Investigation began after tip-off
The case gained momentum in May 2025, after police received information about irregularities. Investigators monitored the temple for eight months.
On 15 May, the abbot ultimately turned himself in to the authorities. The same day, he was expelled from the monkhood and shortly afterwards placed in pre-trial detention.
Network of close associates under scrutiny
The case was particularly sensitive because close associates of the abbot were also apparently involved in the scheme. A former monk was said to have transferred money directly to the main female suspect.
The convicted couple had been responsible for collecting stand fees at temple festivals and was also alleged to have passed on funds. Investigators described an experienced and well-coordinated network.
Part of a series of temple scandals
The case was not an isolated incident. In recent years, several scandals involving senior monks had shaken public trust in religious institutions in Thailand.
Again and again, the allegations involved corruption, lavish lifestyles and the misuse of donated funds. The current case ranked among the largest temple scandals known so far.
“How do you see these scandals involving religious institutions – are they isolated cases or a deeper systemic problem? And how should the state respond in your view?”
said the article, inviting readers to share their opinions.