Wat Sothon Abbot cleared of misconduct and corruption charges

Matichon•Society•20m ago

Reader Briefing

The Chachoengsao Amulet Club announced that an investigation found no evidence of financial corruption or improper relationships involving the abbot of Wat Sothonwararam Worawihan.

•The investigation into Phra Thepphavanavachirakhun Vi. found no evidence supporting allegations of misconduct.
•The Prime Minister's Office appointed an investigation committee in 2025.
•The Chachoengsao Amulet Club held a press conference on November 13, 2026, to announce the findings.
•Phra Thepphavanavachirakhun Vi. remains the abbot of Wat Sothonwararam Worawihan and the provincial ecclesiastic governor of Chachoengsao.

Overview

•The Prime Minister's Office issued order 294/2025 on September 12, 2025, appointing a committee to investigate Phra Thepphavanavachirakhun Vi.
•The investigation committee examined evidence and interviewed relevant persons regarding allegations of improper relationships and financial misconduct.
•The National Office of Buddhism presented the report at the committee meeting 2/2026 on July 20, 2026, which acknowledged the results without further observation.
•Thitichot Piamthavonpot stated that the intensive investigation lasted over one year and officially concluded on November 9, 2026, with no evidence of corruption found.
•Kitti Paopiamsap stated that Phra Thepphavanavachirakhun Vi. donated over one hundred million baht to Buddhasothon Hospital.
•Phra Thepphavanavachirakhun Vi. continues to serve as the abbot of Wat Sothonwararam Worawihan and the provincial ecclesiastic governor of Chachoengsao.
•The press conference speakers stated they do not intend to sue those who made the initial complaints, citing a desire for forgiveness.

Full article content is available on the original source.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Entities

Person

Phra Thepphavanavachirakhun Vi.(พระเทพภาวนาวชิรคุณ วิ.)

The abbot of Wat Sothonwararam Worawihan and provincial ecclesiastic governor of Chachoengsao.

Kitti Paopiamsap(กิตติ เป้าเปี่ยมทรัพย์)

Former President of Chachoengsao Provincial Administrative Organization and Honorary Chairman of the Chachoengsao Amulet Club.

Thitichot Piamthavonpot(ฐิติโชติ เปี่ยมถาวรพจน์)

Executive Chairman of the Thai Buddhist Amulet Admirers Association of Chachoengsao and Chairman of the Chachoengsao Amulet Club.

Kawinwet Wattanasinsathian(กวินเวทย์ วัฒนสินเสถียร)

Vice Chairman of the Chachoengsao Amulet Club.

Organization

Chachoengsao Amulet Club(ชมรมพระเครื่องจังหวัดฉะเชิงเทรา)

An organization that announced the investigation results regarding the abbot of Wat Sothonwararam Worawihan.

Prime Minister's Office(สำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี)

The body that ordered the appointment of the fact-finding committee in 2025.

Provincial Subcommittee for the Protection of National Buddhism(คณะอนุกรรมการคุ้มครองพระพุทธศาสนาแห่งชาติระดับจังหวัด (อพช.จังหวัด))

The body that reviewed the investigation report before sending it to the National Committee for the Protection of Buddhism.

National Committee for the Protection of Buddhism(คณะกรรมการคุ้มครองพระพุทธศาสนาแห่งชาติ (คพช.))

The committee that considered the investigation report provided by the National Office of Buddhism.

National Office of Buddhism(สำนักงานพระพุทธศาสนาแห่งชาติ)ℹ️

The office that presented the investigation report to the National Committee for the Protection of Buddhism.

Buddhasothon Hospital(โรงพยาบาลพุทธโสธร)

A hospital that received donations of over one hundred million baht from Phra Thepphavanavachirakhun Vi.

Thai Buddhist Amulet Admirers Association of Chachoengsao(สมาคมผู้นิยมพระเครื่องพระบูชาไทย จังหวัดฉะเชิงเทรา)

The association whose executive chairman is Thitichot Piamthavonpot.

Place

Wat Sothonwararam Worawihan(วัดโสธรวรารามวรวิหาร)

The temple presided over by Phra Thepphavanavachirakhun Vi.

Ban Pao Piamsap(บ้านเป้าเปี่ยมทรัพย์)

The location in Ban Mai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chachoengsao, where the press conference was held.