PHICHIT — The abbot of a Buddhist temple in Pho Thale district was dismissed from his position after a Sangha Supreme Council probe found he had invested 40 million baht of donated money in the stock market.
The dismissal order was endorsed Tuesday by Phra Theekatas-seemuneewong, the ecclesiastical provincial governor of Phichit and took effect immediately.
Phra Kru Wisit Seelaporn, the abbot of Wat Hiranyararm in tambon Bang Khlarn, previously faced 28 complaints lodged by members of the public alleging he had administered donations in an opaque manner and failed to explain the temple’s financial-account statements.
The complainants – which included former temple assistants and local politicians – also demanded Phra Kru Wisit be removed from his position, claiming he had served as the abbot for many years but did not help develop the monastery and nearby communities.
Phra Kru Wisit denied the allegations and took the case to court. This later led to a severe rift between the temple and residents.
Pending the court case, a fact-finding committee set up by the Sangha Supreme Council found the monk was guilty following a month-long investigation involving both legal and financial experts.