Thai police have arrested a Buddhist monk, Phra Wachirayan Wi, on suspicion of embezzling 100 million baht ($3m; £2.2m) from his monastery. A suspected female accomplice, Punyavee Rungrueang, 47, was also arrested.
Phra Wachirayan, a former abbot at Wat Phutthaisawan in Ayutthaya, allegedly pocketed donations intended for the temple on more than 20 occasions over two years. Police reportedly found cash and gold bars worth over 100 million baht during a raid on his residence.
Police stated that money from donation receipts issued in the temple's name, intended for renovations and sacred objects, did not enter the temple's account. Punyavee Rungrueang has been arrested on charges of abetting a state official in illegal activities, with police believing she helped manage the embezzled proceeds.
Investigators began looking into the case in mid-July after receiving an anonymous tip. Police seized 35 gold amulets, 1.5kg of gold bars, and jewellery, estimated to be worth 6.04 million baht, from Punyavee's home.