Wat Rai Khing, one of Thailand’s most respected temples, is at the heart of a resounding scandal. Its abbot, Phra Dhammavajiranuvatara, is accused of embezzling more than 300 million baht (around €8 million) from the temple’s funds to feed an addiction to online gambling, particularly baccarat.
Thorough investigation leads to arrest
The investigation began after reports of suspicious financial movements in the temple’s accounts. The authorities discovered that funds intended for religious activities were being transferred to personal accounts and then used on illegal online gambling platforms. On 16 May 2025, the Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for the abbot, who subsequently surrendered voluntarily to the authorities. He was charged with corruption and embezzlement.
A network of accomplices uncovered
Investigations revealed that the abbot had allegedly instructed the temple’s management committee to transfer funds to his personal account. Some of this money was then allegedly sent to a gambling broker, identified as Aranyawan, to be credited to online gambling accounts. Aranyawan was arrested in Pattaya after investigators traced a transfer of 100 million baht (€2.7 million) from the temple’s account to her own.
Buddhism in Thailand: An institution at the heart of society
In Thailand, Theravāda Buddhism is not just a religion; it is the spiritual, cultural and moral foundation of the nation. Practised by around 95% of the population, it shapes the social rituals, collective values and daily lives of the Thai people. Temples are not limited to their religious function: they play a central role in the life of communities, particularly as gathering centres, places of learning and places of moral and psychological refuge.
Donations to temples are a pillar of Buddhist religious practice in Thailand. Donating money, food or objects to the temple is considered a sacred act. According to Buddhist belief, this act helps to improve one’s karma, erase past faults and guarantee a better existence in the future. These donations are made in absolute trust, with no requirement for return or control, as they are supposed to serve the perpetuation of the dharma, the upkeep of the temple and the support of the monastic community.
Any violation of this trust – particularly when a monk misappropriates these sacred funds for personal or illegal ends – is seen as an act of moral profanation. It touches the very essence of the implicit pact between the faithful and the religious institution.
When the sacred is sullied by gambling
The case against the abbot of Wat Rai Khing is much more than just a news item. He is not just a monk who has given in to a personal addiction; he is a leading spiritual figure suspected of having embezzled millions from the donations of the faithful to indulge a passion for online gambling. This behaviour, incompatible with the monastic vows, constitutes a profound betrayal in the eyes of the community. By embezzling donation money, he has not only broken the law, he has broken a bond of faith between the people and the religious institution he represented.
Repercussions for the Buddhist community
The financial management of temples in Thailand is largely based on trust and autonomy. The monks, particularly the abbots, often have almost total control over the funds received by their institution, and there are few external monitoring mechanisms in place. This management based on religious honour and the supposed virtue of clerics shows its limits when a case of abuse arises. In the wake of a number of recent scandals, of which this is only the latest, many voices are being raised in favour of an in-depth reform of monastic governance. Between 2017 and 2020, several investigations revealed abuses of government subsidies by religious leaders. These cases shook the confidence of the faithful and led to reforms aimed at improving the governance of Buddhist institutions.