The Bank of Thailand and the National Office of Buddhism (NOB) on 13/7 released the results of an audit of 39,000 temple bank accounts, revealing holdings of approximately 410 billion baht (over 11 billion USD) as of Quarter I 2025.
NOB regulations stipulate that abbots are prohibited from using temple funds for personal expenses. All funds must be deposited under the temple's name. Any withdrawals or expenditures must have a clearly stated purpose, adhering to rules that restrict spending to official activities such as renovations, monk training, or religious ceremonies.
To ensure transparency, each temple's abbot can appoint a financial management committee to participate in spending decisions. In case of complaints, the NOB has the authority to inspect the books, accounts, and expenses of the temples involved.
Temple finances have come under increased scrutiny following several scandals involving romantic relationships and embezzlement of donations. The most prominent case in recent weeks, dubbed "Sika Golf," involves a 35-year-old woman who had relationships with at least eight senior monks. Three monks have been defrocked for serious misconduct, according to Thai police.
 |
Phra Thep Wachiratheeraporn (left) hands over the documents of Wat Phra Phutthachai temple on 12/7 after resigning as abbot. Photo: Facebook/Naktham Bali |
Phra Thep Wachiratheeraporn (left) hands over the documents of Wat Phra Phutthachai temple on 12/7 after resigning as abbot. Photo: Facebook/Naktham Bali
The scandal rocked Thailand's monastic community after police seized over 80,000 photos and videos from five of Golf's phones during a house search in Nonthaburi province on 4/7. Many images showed her in intimate relationships with monks from various renowned temples.
Phra Thep Wachiratheeraporn, the former abbot of Wat Phra Phutthachai temple in Saraburi province and one of the monks involved with Golf, is under investigation for allegedly embezzling temple funds to support his lover.
On 12/7, Phra Thep asserted that he had voluntarily handed over all important financial documents to the new abbot, leaving the monkhood with "almost nothing" and without misappropriating temple assets. He also admitted to his relationship with Golf and having considered marriage.
In another scandal in May, the 70-year-old abbot of Wat Rai Khing temple in Nakhon Pathom province surrendered to police after being accused of embezzling over 8 million USD over five years for gambling. Police also discovered transactions totaling approximately 500 million baht (over 15 million USD) between him and online gambling accounts.
The over 100-year-old Wat Rai Khing temple, located in Samphran district, Nakhon Pathom province, is a popular pilgrimage site attracting both Thai and international visitors.
Thanh Danh (Nation, Bangkok Post)
