Thai police have arrested a Buddhist monk, Phra Wachirayan Wi, on suspicion of embezzling 100 million baht (about $3 million) from his monastery. He was previously the abbot of Wat Phutthaisawan, a historic temple in Ayutthaya, a city in central Thailand. According to authorities, the monk allegedly stole donations meant for the temple on over 20 occasions over two years. The case has drawn attention due to the monk’s prominence and the fact that he was known for creating highly sought-after coin amulets, some of which are reportedly owned by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Phra Wachirayan, 66, was defrocked after his arrest and has not made any public statement. Police also arrested a 47-year-old woman, Punyavee Rungrueang, who was seen in a video having sex with the monk on his dining table. She faces charges of abetting a state official in illegal activities. Many monks in Thailand receive government stipends, making them legally classified as state officials, which means they are subject to similar laws as other public servants. During a search of Phra Wachirayan’s residence, police found cash and gold bars valued at over 100 million baht, with counting continuing well into the night. They also discovered that funds collected for temple renovations and sacred objects were not deposited into the temple’s account. Instead, the money was allegedly diverted to personal use. Police identified two streams of money linked to the monk’s donation receipts, but neither reached the temple’s account. The arrest comes amid ongoing concerns about misconduct within Thailand’s monastic community. In July of last year, police set up a hotline after at least nine monks were found to have had sexual relations with a woman, who then blackmailed them for nearly $12 million. Authorities are now investigating whether other individuals may be involved in Phra Wachirayan’s case. The incident highlights continued scrutiny of religious institutions and their adherence to vows of celibacy and financial transparency.