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The scandal surrounding a former Thai abbot accused of embezzling $9 million worth of temple funds to spend on online gambling sites is deepening, with police poised to make more arrests.

The Bangkok Post reported that the police officers, the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), and anti-corruption agencies raided Wat Rai Khing in Nakhon Pathom on May 20.

After uncovering various financial irregularities and undeclared, temple-linked accounts, the officers launched their newest probe.

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The 70-year-old former abbot, Yaem Intrangkrungkao (formerly Phra Thamma Wachiranuwat), was formally disrobed this month. Yaem has reportedly made a full confession to police.

Wat Rai Khing told the National Office of Buddhism (NOB) that it only had four bank accounts. Officers said temple officials had opened “at least 49 accounts,” operated by over 10 individuals.

Police say they are now seeking warrants for these individuals and associated beneficiaries. They are particularly keen to arrest a woman known as “Toey.” Police suspect Toey of managing temple finances on Yaem’s behalf.

Officers think Toey may have transferred temple income to private vacation resorts and music-related enterprises in Thailand’s Mukdahan Province.

The CIB’s Deputy Commissioner, Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat Pankaew, said the former abbot and his aides may have used the accounts to hide their financial activities.

A payment of 18 million baht ($554,000) worth of temple funds was transferred directly into Yaem’s personal accounts.

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Police are also investigating suspicions that the abbot and his aides may have misappropriated money from selling religious items. Investigators think the temple failed to record land rental deals and festival stall sales properly.

These activities may have raised about 100 million baht ($3.1 million) annually.

So far, police have arrested a number of individuals suspected of helping Yaem, including the 28-year-old gambling broker Aranyawan Wangthapan. Officers have also detained Ekkapot Phukhang, a former monk and Yaem aide.

The Nation Thailand reported that police discovered that Wat Rai Khing halted financial aid to the public Metta Pracharak (Wat Rai Khing) Hospital three years ago, despite continuing to ask visitors to donate to its upkeep.

Officers say they found two bank accounts ostensibly created to receive public donations for the hospital, which is located on temple-owned land.

Donation boxes for the hospital remain at Wat Rai Khing. However, investigators say no transactions have been made from either account to the hospital for the past three years.

Wat Rai Khing built the hospital using public donations. The temple later handed control of the hospital to the Public Health Ministry’s Department of Medical Services.

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Thailand’s top monk, the Supreme Patriarch, has responded to the scandal by ordering temples nationwide to ensure their accounts are transparent.

Per a separate Bangkok Post report, Booncherd Kittitrangkul, the NOB’s Deputy Director-General, announced that the Thai Supreme Patriarch has spoken to the Sangha Supreme Council about the matter. The council is the top ecclesiastical body for Thailand’s Buddhist order, and the Supreme Patriarch is the head of the Thai monastic order.

Booncherd said the parties had agreed to work with the government to create new regulations for temple asset management.

The council also wants to use digital solutions to ensure that temple finance and accountancy are brought up to a higher legal standard.

The NOB will also create new departments for temple affairs and legal issues. These departments will help police and Supreme Patriarch officials monitor temple asset management more closely.