Money Laundering Through Thai Temples and Digital Amulets

MGR Online•Economy•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Authorities seized over 720 million baht from a royal temple in Ayutthaya amid investigations into money laundering via religious donations and amulet rentals.

•The Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 1 issued arrest warrants for Atichot Thanprasert and Punyavee Rungrueang on September 8, 2026.
•Police seized assets totaling over 720 million baht, including cash, gold bars, and bank deposits.
•The case involves the use of unauthorized foundations and donation receipts to divert temple funds into personal accounts.
•The investigation highlights a systemic loophole where religious donations and amulet trading are used to move 'grey money' without oversight.

Overview

•On September 8, 2026, the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 1 issued arrest warrants for Atichot Thanprasert and Punyavee Rungrueang.
•Police arrested Atichot Thanprasert and Punyavee Rungrueang on September 10, and the court later denied bail due to the high penalties of the charges.
•Authorities seized assets totaling over 720 million baht, following an initial report of 215 million baht and subsequent findings of over 290 million baht in deposits.
•Atichot Thanprasert and Punyavee Rungrueang face charges of embezzlement by an official, malfeasance under Sections 147 and 157 of the Criminal Code, and conspiracy to money launder.
•The case involves the creation of a foundation in early 2026, which police suspect was used as a central account to transfer merit money into personal accounts.
•Anutin Charnvirakul, the Prime Minister, previously disclosed that he wore the 'Nuea Duang' amulet created by Atichot Thanprasert.
•The article notes a pattern where digital assets like Somdejcoin in 2021 and physical amulets in 2026 exploit the lack of regulation over 'free' merit-based transactions.
•The lack of oversight in the amulet market, valued at hundreds of billions of baht, allows grey money to be laundered through artificial price inflation by experts.

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Key Entities

Person

Atichot Thanprasert(อติโชติ ทันประเสริฐ)

The former abbot of Wat Phutthai Sawan, also known as Somi Chot or Luang Pho Chot, accused of embezzlement and money laundering.

Punyavee Rungrueang(ปุณยวีร์ รุ่งเรือง)

A close associate of Atichot Thanprasert, known as Sika Ae, accused of supporting embezzlement and money laundering.

Anutin Charnvirakul(อนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล)ℹ️

The Prime Minister who disclosed that he wore the Nuea Duang amulet.

Organization

Securities and Exchange Commission(ก.ล.ต.)ℹ️

The regulatory body that warned about Somdejcoin and issued measures to block grey capital in 2026.

Bank of Thailand(ธนาคารแห่งประเทศไทย)ℹ️

The central bank that implemented measures to monitor gold transactions and large cash withdrawals in 2026.

Anti-Money Laundering Office(ปปง.)

The agency responsible for receiving reports on suspicious transactions.

National Office of Buddhism(สำนักงานพระพุทธศาสนาแห่งชาติ)ℹ️

The government agency overseeing Buddhist affairs in Thailand.

Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 1(ศาลอาญาคดีทุจริตและประพฤติมิชอบ ภาค 1)

The court that issued arrest warrants and denied bail for the suspects in the Wat Phutthai Sawan case.

Place

Wat Phutthai Sawan(วัดพุทไธศวรรย์)

A royal temple in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province where the embezzlement occurred.

Wat Phrabat Nam Phu(วัดพระบาทน้ำพุ)

A temple mentioned as a previous case involving money laundering through a religious foundation.

Law

Criminal Code Sections 147 and 157(ประมวลกฎหมายอาญามาตรา 147 และ 157)

Laws concerning officials embezzling property and performing or omitting duties wrongfully.