The former abbot of Sa Ket Temple, widely known as Phra Phromsitti (Thongchai Sukhayano), surrendered to police on Wednesday.
The monk, who was wanted in connection with a case of corruption and had been on the run for nearly one week, contacted police and offered to surrender. Last Thursday, police had raided his temple in search of several monks, including Phra Phromsitti, amid allegations of embezzlement of state funds meant for temples. Phra Phromsitti was the only monk from Sa Ket Temple who managed to elude capture during the raid.
The Sangha Supreme Council, the country’s highest body for monastic affairs, dismissed Phra Phromsitti as its member last Thursday. He has also lost all monastic ranks following the King’s command. Central Investigation Bureau chief Pol Lt-General Thitiraj Nhongharnpitak headed the team that went on Wednesday to Sa Ket Temple to arrest the monk. As of press time, he was sent to the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases after police sought his detention for investigation into his alleged wrongdoing. NT – EP
