Embezzlement and a hot tape: Monastery head stole millions and had sex in the holy place

Thai police arrested a senior Buddhist monk, Phra Vachirayan Vee, 66, head of the 14th-century Wat Phutthaisawan monastery in Ayutthaya, on suspicion of embezzling $2.8 million from monastery funds. A 47-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of helping to conceal the money. Security camera footage leaked to the media showed the two having sex in the monk's quarters. Police seized assets worth 215 million baht, including gold bars and jewelry.

Thai police on Thursday arrested a senior Buddhist monk, Phra Vachirayan Vee, 66, who heads the 14th-century Wat Phutthaisawan monastery in Ayutthaya. The main suspicion: embezzlement of $2.8 million from monastery funds. Alongside him, a 47-year-old woman was arrested, suspected of helping to convert and conceal the money. The affair came to light after security camera footage, leaked to the media, showed the two having sex on a table in the monk's quarters – a severe violation of the monastic vow of celibacy. The investigation began in mid-July following an anonymous tip. According to lead investigator Phatthanasak Bupphasawan, about 89 million baht ($2.69 million) was donated for temple renovation, and an additional 2.8 million baht was received for amulets – but not a single baht reached the temple account. Authorities seized assets worth 215 million baht, including 16 kilograms of gold bars and jewelry, and 28 land title deeds. The monastery head was expelled from the monastic order. The affair joins a series of sex and financial scandals plaguing Buddhist monasticism in Thailand over the past year.