Police Raid ‘Si Ka Ae’ Home in 92 Million Baht Temple Embezzlement Probe
Police Raid ‘Si Ka Ae’ Home in 92 Million Baht Temple Embezzlement Probe
BANGKOK, Sept. 11, 2026 — Thailand’s Crime Suppression Division has seized 90 baht-weight of gold valued at about 6.04 million baht, along with more than 3.59 million baht in cash and other assets, during a search of the home of a close associate of a former abbot accused of embezzling more than 92 million baht from a royal monastery in Ayutthaya.
The search was carried out on September 10 at a house in Khlong Si Subdistrict, Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani Province, belonging to Punyavee Rungrueng, 47, also known as “Si Ka Ae.”
The operation followed the arrest of Phra Wachirayan Wi., also known as Luang Pho Atichote, the former abbot of Wat Phutthaisawan Royal Monastery in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. Police allege that he embezzled more than 92 million baht in temple funds and transferred money to his close associate.
Punyavee was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases on September 8, 2026. Police accuse her of assisting a public official in the alleged embezzlement and abuse of official duties, as well as participating in a conspiracy involving money laundering.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Ruangwit Duangjinda, an investigator with Crime Suppression Division 1, led officers in the search.
Authorities said they found 35 gold amulets, gold bars and gold jewellery weighing a combined 90 baht, with an estimated value of 6,037,470 baht.
Police also seized:
- 3,592,300 baht in cash
- Three mobile phones
- One iPad
- 10 land and account-related documents
- Two land title deeds
- Seven bank passbooks
- One land sale agreement
- 18 investment-related documents
- One health insurance policy
- Six gold insurance certificates
- Seven gold purchase and sale receipts
- Four Government Savings Bank bonds
The seizure is part of an expanding investigation into the alleged financial activities surrounding the former abbot and his associates.
Police allege that the former monk diverted temple funds to Punyavee, while investigators are examining the financial documents and assets seized during the latest search.
The investigation also follows separate allegations by police concerning illicit sexual conduct by the former abbot in his private quarters.
The case remains under investigation, and the allegations against the suspects have not been established by a final court judgment.
