Cops to speed up probe on Nakhon Sawan temple abbot

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has promised to expedite its probe into allegations of misconduct against the former abbot of a temple in Nakhon Sawan, after photos of the senior monk embracing a woman while wearing a wig made the rounds online.

- WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM

The former Phra Thamma Wachiratheerakun, who left the monkhood just before midnight on Saturday, is also under investigation in connection with financial irregularities in the Nakhon Sawan Buddhist Park project, which has been delayed for about a decade.

Reports said the 67-year-old left monkhood at 11.49pm on Saturday, in a ceremony chaired by the deputy abbot of Wat Nakhon Sawan in Muang district.

CIB investigators discovered a trove of chats and photographs which indicated the former abbot is in a romantic relationship with a 57-year-old woman seen in the pictures.

It was said the pair has been in a relationship for 15 years.

In one of the photos, the former monk could be seen embracing the woman while wearing a wig and layman clothes.