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Thai police arrest Buddhist abbot on suspicion of embezzling $2.8m

The Guardian Australia - World · 12 September 2026 at 1:01 am

Thai police arrest Buddhist abbot on suspicion of embezzling $2.8m

Phra Wachirayan Wi arrested alongside woman he was filmed having sex with in latest scandal to hit country’s clergy Police in Thailand have arrested a senior Buddhist monk on suspicion of embezzling $2.8m intended for his monastery, alongside a suspected female accomplice he was filmed having sex with.

The case is the latest scandal to hit the clergy in Buddhist-majority country, after a sex and extortion case involving senior monks last year prompted public outrage and calls for greater scrutiny of temple finances.

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Thai police arrest Buddhist abbot on suspicion of embezzling $2.8m

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