Abbot ousted over 9.2 million baht debt scandal in Pathum Thani

The abbot of Wat Phut Udom in Lam Luk Ka district, Pathum Thani, has been removed from his position following allegations of borrowing 9.2 million baht from a 57 year old woman and failing to repay the amount. The victim was reportedly told to seize the temple’s ordination hall and pavilion as compensation.

Police in Pathum Thani province convened a meeting between the abbot and the victim. It was decided that the abbot would repay the debt unconditionally but with the stipulation that there would be no further media coverage of the issue.

Ekaphop Luangprasert, advisor to the Minister of Interior and founder of the Sai Mai Tong Rod Facebook page, submitted a formal request to Phra Khru Sophonphattharawet, abbot of Wat Sai Mai and deputy district chief monk of Lam Luk Ka, to investigate the personal assets and financial transactions of the abbot of Wat Phut Udom over the past 20 years. This move was intended to recover the 9.2 million baht for the victim.

Ekaphop stated that the investigation would delve into the financial records of the temple, including donations from devotees, to ascertain whether the funds were deposited into personal accounts or the temple’s accounts.

Ekaphop emphasised that any personal items bought with temple funds would need to be sold, with the proceeds used to repay the victim fully. The goal was to set a precedent and prevent similar incidents in other temples.

“After the Wat Phut Udom incident, we received numerous reports from followers indicating other temples might be engaging in similar behaviour. We want to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”

Today, September 9, the aforementioned Facebook page announced that the chief monk of Pathum Thani had ordered the removal of the abbot of Wat Phut Udom. Phra Ajarn Ood from Wat Sai Mai was appointed as the acting abbot.

The victim described how the abbot had borrowed nearly 10 million baht and suggested she take the temple’s ordination hall and pavilion instead of repayment. The abbot defended himself by stating that no formal loan agreement existed and claimed he was coerced into acknowledging the debt.

In a letter, the abbot revealed that he had offered temple assets to settle the debt and had repaid 3,000 baht of the principal amount. Additionally, he disclosed that the victim had paid 920,000 baht for the temple’s electricity bills, reported KhaoSod.