Crime Suppression Division (CSD) police have seized assets worth about 100 million baht from a man alleged to have embezzled about 190 million baht of funds intended for the renovation of Wat Bowonniwet Vihara and its branch temples, a police source said.
The embezzlement occurred while the temple's revered abbot, the late Somdet Phra Wannarat, was receiving treatment for gall bladder cancer at Chulalongkorn Hospital. He died on March 15.
Following the abbot's death, the temple’s board asked the Royal Thai Police Office to launch a covert investigation. Pol Gen Suwat Jangyodsuk, the police chief, assigned the CSD to investigate.
A team of investigators, led by CSD commander Pol Maj Gen Montree Theskhan, examined the finances of Somdet Phra Wannarat and discovered evidence of embezzlement of funds for the renovation of Wat Bowonniwet Vihara, which is in Phra Nakhon district of Bangkok, and its branch temples.
The alleged embezzler, whose name was withheld, was a close acquaintance of Somdet Phra Wannarat.
On March 23, the CSD team, armed with a court warrant, arrested the man at a condominium in Bangkok.
The police investigation uncovered a wealth of goods including Bently, Porsche, Volvo, BMW and Lexus cars, cash, bank accounts, brand name bags and gold-plated amulets, worth about 100 million baht in total. They were impounded for examination.
The investigators are coordinating with the Anti-Money Laundering Office on further legal proceedings.
The investigation into the alleged embezzlement is continuing. The amount of money involved might exceed 190 million baht, the source said.
The suspect is being detained at Bangkok Remand Prison.