Bangkok: “Big Tao” is intensifying efforts to uncover the financial origins of Wat Muang’s funds, with plans to summon the abbot’s driver for questioning.

According to Thai News Agency, Phra Nitat, after completing a two-and-a-half-hour interrogation, expressed relief and reiterated the absence of politics within the temple. He emphasized that his statement to the police was not influenced by internal temple politics or competition for the abbot’s position. He mentioned that while he has provided evidence to the authorities, his primary aim is to address accusations of deceit.

Pol. Lt. Col. Charoonkiat Pankaew, deputy commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, shared insights into the current investigation involving Phra Nitat and the former secretary of Wat Muang’s abbot. The information gathered sheds light on the temple’s financial management, revealing that the abbot solely managed the funds without the involvement of a treasurer or committee member until recent years. This lack of transparency has prompted the police to scrutinize the temple’s financial records, including donations and various fees, to trace the money flow.

The authorities plan to question the abbot and his drivers, Mr. Beer and Mr. Diao, who reportedly handle financial transactions, to clarify the temple’s financial dealings. Additionally, contractors involved in Wat Muang’s renovations will be investigated to uncover any potential demands for benefits. The focus remains on identifying the source of the abbot’s 20 million baht, while ensuring fairness to all parties involved.

Further investigations will aim to determine the allocation of expenses for the temple’s 50 monks, who currently bear their own costs for utilities. Despite limited merit-making activities, the temple generates income from various sources, which the police are keen to understand. Weekly bank collections at the temple add another layer to the financial scrutiny.

To date, no links to gambling or illegal activities have been found, though Phra Nitat’s allegations regarding the purchase of monk positions are being taken seriously. The police are committed to a thorough investigation to unravel the temple’s financial network and any possible connections to senior monks involved in unethical practices.