Sisaket: Mr. Iam, the chairman of a temple committee, alongside Mr. Amporn, an advisor to a temple in Sisaket Province, and more than 10 villagers, submitted a petition to the Central Investigation Bureau’s Complaint Center. They have requested an investigation into the abbot of a temple in Sisaket Province, following suspicions of misuse of temple funds.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Iam revealed that the temple in question is a renowned establishment in Sisaket Province, poised to become a significant tourist attraction. Since 2014, villagers have lodged complaints with various authorities, including the district and provincial abbots, as well as the Office of Buddhism, seeking an investigation into the temple’s financial affairs. However, these efforts have not elicited any response regarding the temple’s issues. Consequently, they have now escalated their concerns to Pol. Maj. Gen. Charoonkiat Pankaew, Deputy Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, who will oversee the investigation.

Mr. Amporn, a local villager and temple advisor, highlighted that the controversy originates from the ongoing construction of the temple’s viharn and chapel. Recent donations amounting to over 1 million baht were credited to the temple’s account, yet construction remains incomplete. Villagers have repeatedly sought explanations from the abbot but have received no satisfactory responses. This situation spurred further fundraising efforts, culminating in the temple’s completion and celebration. Nevertheless, the allocation of the 1 million baht remains shrouded in mystery, prompting villagers to demand clarity on the renovations and the origins of various construction projects. They have also called for a comprehensive police investigation.

In a previous development, the temple abbot filed a defamation lawsuit against the villagers, which was ultimately dismissed in court. Villagers continue to harbor suspicions regarding other matters, although they refrain from commenting due to the lack of concrete evidence.

Villagers have also advocated for the formation of a committee composed entirely of locals. When they presented the list of committee members to the abbot, he rejected the proposal, labeling it as disproportionate. Mr. Amporn countered that any disproportionate elements could be excluded, emphasizing that the committee was a collective initiative by the villagers. Moreover, villagers suspect that the abbot and novice monks might have misappropriated temple funds. The temple, housing six monks, operates under a 47-member committee, each member closely aligned with the abbot. Additionally, the temple manages three separate accounts, all overseen by the abbot.