Published on: April 24, 2026, 12:04h.
Updated on: April 24, 2026, 12:04h.
- Ex-abbot sentenced to 50 years for $9 million temple fraud
- Misappropriated donations used to gamble on online baccarat
- Incident highlights poor oversight of temple finances and monk liability
A former Buddhist abbot from one of Thailand’s most notable temples has been handed a 50-year prison sentence for embezzling approximately $9 million from the religious establishment. Tid Yaem Inkrungkao, aged 70, reportedly squandered a significant portion of the stolen funds on high-stakes online baccarat, as revealed by prosecutors.
Operating under the monastic name Phra Thamma Wachiranuwat, he led the Wat Rai Khing temple situated on the western outskirts of Bangkok. The disrobed Inkrungkao faced 18 counts of malfeasance and embezzlement as a state official. Prosecutors charged him with diverting millions from the temple’s accounts into a personal account he controlled.
Undercover Monk Investigation
The prosecution’s case was strengthened by an undercover investigator who spent 200 days posing as a monk attendant at the temple. Thai Royal Police Captain Nitithorn Prachankanchana engaged in various menial tasks like maintaining the grounds while secretly compiling evidence against the abbot.
Inkrungkao surrendered to authorities on May 15, 2025, upon discovering that an indictment was imminent. He was officially disrobed from the monkhood the following day, in front of the media and a Buddha statue.
Four accomplices received sentences of eight years each for their involvement. Among those was Aranyawan Wangthapan, who facilitated gambling for Inkrungkao.
As reported by The Bangkok Post, Wangthapan had previously been arrested in 2014 for alleged connections with an illegal online gambling site named Lagalaxy911. Authorities suspect she is linked to three companies that utilized the platform for money laundering.
Merit-Making Contributions
Temples in Thailand largely rely on revenue generated from “merit-making” ceremonies, where worshippers contribute funds in hopes of securing good fortune and enhancing their reincarnation prospects. Loyal Buddhists frequently visit Wat Rai Khing to honor its esteemed Buddha statue and what is believed to be a replica of the Buddha’s footprint.
As the leader of one of the nation’s major temples, Inkrungkao allegedly transformed this traditional system into a highly lucrative operation, drawing scrutiny to the lack of oversight surrounding monk access to these funds.
In a similar case from last year, a 35-year-old woman was accused of extorting $11.9 million from a group of Buddhist monks, having allegedly seduced and blackmailed them. Authorities reported that Wilawan Emsawat intentionally targeted senior monks, reportedly recording intimate encounters on her phone before demanding payment.