Bangkok: Central Investigation Bureau police launched an operation to preserve Buddhism, raiding 200 locations nationwide and arresting 181 monks found guilty of violating the law. The latest arrest was a monk from a well-known temple in the Khlong 6 area of Pathum Thani province, who was found to be involved in a transnational crime syndicate.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Lt. Gen. Jiraphop Phuridet, Commissioner-General of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), in his capacity as head of the Center for the Suppression of Threats and the Strengthening of Buddhist Security, ordered Pol. Maj. Gen. Charoonkiat Pankaew, Deputy Commissioner-General, to lead a team of CBI officers to conduct a temple sweep operation. The operation focused on searching over 200 locations to apprehend suspects involved in crimes such as embezzlement, money laundering, drunk driving, drug trafficking, and transnational organized crime. The suspects have been using their monastic status as a cover to hide in temples nationwide.
The operation targeted 181 suspects, with 154 still in monkhood, including the highest-ranking monk, the abbot. Meanwhile, 27 suspects are former monks who have disrobed. Officials are actively working to apprehend these individuals.
Among those arrested is a key suspect identified as 45-year-old Surat, also known as Phra Surat, a monk at Wat Wan Bun in Khlong Hok Subdistrict, Pathum Thani Province. Surat is wanted for his involvement in a transnational organized crime group for laundering money related to drug offenses. He was apprehended while collecting alms and subsequently disrobed at his original temple.
A background check revealed that Surat was originally an unregistered person from a northern ethnic group before being ordained as a monk for over a decade. The investigation uncovered that his bank account was used to receive drug money transfers for an international drug network. During questioning, Surat denied the charges, claiming another individual had borrowed the account for merit-making purposes without his knowledge of its illegal use.
Feedback from villagers, temple committee members, and monks suggests that Surat, or former Phra Surat, was known for his good conduct and contributions to religion, including building another temple in Pathum Thani province. They believe he was unaware of any wrongdoing, as there was no indication of him attempting to flee.
Authorities are continuing their efforts to search for and arrest other significant targets. Upon completion of the operation, a press conference will be held at the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) to officially disclose details.