A Thai court has sentenced a former temple abbot to 50 years in prison over a large embezzlement case involving billions of baht. The ruling was announced on April 21, 2026, by the Central Criminal Court of Cases of Corruption and Misconduct. It was alleged that Tid Yam, the late abbot of Wat Rai Khing, in Nakhon Pathom, had abused temple funds and abused his office. Tid Yam was found guilty of misusing temple funds and abusing his position.
There are four other individuals who are related to the case that were also sentenced to prison. Sika Gen, former monk Ekapot, Mor Toey, and her husband Cha Chai were each sentenced to eight years in jail. The court denied bail to all defendants, stating they may try to escape due to the serious charges. The group is expected to appeal the decision.
Gambling-Linked Fund Transfers
The case began in 2021 when investigators started examining financial activities at Wat Rai Khing. At the time, Tid Yam, also known as Yam Inkrungkao, held a senior religious position. Authorities found that he instructed temple staff to move money from temple accounts into his personal bank account.
The investigation showed that the money was later transferred to Aranyawan, also known as Sika Gen. She was linked to an online gambling platform called LAGALAXY911. Officials said the funds were used to support a gambling habit, including baccarat games.
Millions Turn Into Billions
Initial police checks showed about 300 million baht had been moved from the temple. More than 500 million baht was traced through the gambling network. However, further court evidence revealed that the total amount taken reached around 2 billion baht.
As the temple’s funds decreased, the former abbot reportedly borrowed more money from senior monks at other temples. These loans ranged from hundreds of thousands to millions of baht, which were also used for gambling activities.
Long Investigation and Arrests
The arrests came after an eight-month undercover investigation. The police collected evidence inside the temple and trailed the money trail. In late 2024, Sika Gen was arrested due to her involvement in the gambling operation but was released on bail at that time.
The case still progressed, with additional legal proceedings in May 2025. The court finally handed down its final decision in 2026, and the case was closed with all the involved incarcerated with heavy sentences.
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