CSD inspects Wat Phutthaisawan assets and prepares to unfreeze funds

Thairath•Society•11m ago

Reader Briefing

The Crime Suppression Division is inspecting assets in the former abbot's residence at Wat Phutthaisawan and considering the unfreezing of a 71 million baht temple account.

•Crime Suppression Division officers are inventorying assets and documents within the kuti of former abbot Sami Chot at Wat Phutthaisawan.
•Authorities are considering unfreezing a temple bank account containing approximately 71 million baht after preliminary checks found no link to the investigation.
•Wat Phutthaisawan is undergoing a major reorganization, including clearing the crematorium and improving the landscape.
•The events took place on September 16, 2026, in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province.

Overview

•The Crime Suppression Division used computers and money counting machines to record assets and documents found inside the kuti of Sami Chot.
•Authorities plan to return the kuti area to the Sangha after the inventory process is complete.
•A temple bank account with approximately 71 million baht is under consideration for unfreezing as preliminary financial trails show no involvement in the investigation.
•Phra Pipat Sasanakitwithan and Phra Pipatkanakitchathorn are leading efforts to reorganize the temple, including clearing the crematorium for public use.
•The temple plans to remove large zinc sheets and obstacles to improve the scenery and create new parking areas for tourists.
•Yingyong Yodbuangam stated that people should distinguish between the actions of an individual and the faith associated with the temple.
•Police from the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Police Station are maintaining order at Wat Phutthaisawan while the Crime Suppression Division continues its investigation.

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Source: Thairath (Original)

Key Quotes

Yingyong Yodbuangam

"If you do not do anything wrong, no one can do anything to you."

หากท่านไม่ทำผิด ใครก็ทำอะไรท่านไม่ได้

Key Entities

Organization

Crime Suppression Division(กองปราบปราม)ℹ️

The police agency inspecting assets and investigating the case at Wat Phutthaisawan.

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Police Station(สภ.พระนครศรีอยุธยา)

The local police station providing security officers at Wat Phutthaisawan.

Place

Wat Phutthaisawan(วัดพุทไธศวรรย์)ℹ️

A temple and important historical site in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province.

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province(จังหวัดพระนครศรีอยุธยา)ℹ️

The province where Wat Phutthaisawan is located.

Person

Sami Chot(สมีโชติ)

The former abbot of Wat Phutthaisawan whose kuti is under investigation.

Phra Pipat Sasanakitwithan(พระพิพัฒน์ศาสนกิจวิธาน)

The abbot of Wat Tha Karong, Deputy Ecclesiastical Provincial Governor of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, and acting abbot of Wat Phutthaisawan.

Phra Pipatkanakitchathorn(พระพิพัฒนกิจจาธร)

Also known as Phra Ajarn Boem, acting abbot of Wat Phutthaisawan who is leading the temple reorganization.

Yingyong Yodbuangam(ยิ่งยง ยอดบัวงาม)ℹ️

A famous Luk Thung singer who visited Wat Phutthaisawan to observe the situation.