A clergyman in Thailand has embezzled a gigantic sum. Behind the temple of his order, he deposited cash and gold bars. Now he is threatened with trial.
Munich/Bangkok – In a Thai temple, there was apparently a case of fraud of enormous proportions. According to the report, a Buddhist monk is said to have usurped donations of around eight million euros under the sacred temple roofs. The 39-year-old had probably achieved some prominence in the Asian country as a meditation teacher. Now the deep fall followed.
Monk arrested in Thailand: He is said to have embezzled a sum of millions
The monk was arrested along with two other suspects. According to consistent media reports, this is the younger sister of the 39-year-old and the former abbot of the temple. This is reported by the Bangkok Post newspaper.
It is not the first scandal in Buddhist religious communities in Thailand. Recently, a case made headlines in which monks in a temple tested positive for the drug crystal meth. In the current case, it is not about drugs, but "only" about embezzled money. But the high sum still has it all.
Cash and gold worth over eight million euros scammed – and buried behind the temple
The police have confiscated cash and gold bars worth at least 300 million Thai baht. This corresponds to the equivalent of more than eight million euros. The monk and his helpers had buried some of their loot on a hill behind the temple. They are said to be donations from believers.
To guide the immense amount at stake by Thai standards: According to the Federal Statistical Office, the average annual income in Thailand in 2021 was 7,260 US dollars, or about 245.52 Thai baht. The accused monk is said to have embezzled a sum that is more than 100 million times as high as the annual earnings of a person in Thailand.
In Thailand, a monk is said to have embezzled a lot of money. The police there seized large amounts of cash and other items. © Bangkok Police
Captured money is said to come from donations from believers – the monk denies the allegations
However, the monk, who is known by the religious name Phra Ajarn Khom, according to the Bangkok Post, denies the allegations made. The temple is located in the province of Nakhon Ratchasima in the northeast of the country. More than 90 percent of all Thais are Buddhists – religion plays an important role in the country.
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The monks in their orange robes are highly respected and revered by many. Critics, however, say the clergy are striving more and more for wealth and power. In addition, many monks in Thailand probably have a health problem because they are simply too fat.
