Phra Ajarn Khom (39) became famous as a meditation teacher.

DLNews Crime:

A powerful monk (39) is suspected of embezzling donations in an insane amount. The crimes could date back to 2020!

A celebrity and saint - now also a gangster. The talk is of the Thai ex-monk Phra Ajarn Khom (39), also known as 'Khom Khongkaeo.' With the help of accomplices, he is said to have operated ice-cold machinations in his temple, as the "Bangkok Post" reports. Accordingly, it is currently about embezzling a whopping 300 million Thai Baht (about 8.8 million Dollars).

Money and valuables allegedly embezzled from Phra Ajarn Khom.

Investigators found funds worth 100 million Thai baht (about 2.7 million Dollars) buried behind his shrine in Nakhon Ratchasima province. There were many things to discover, from gold bars to bills.

Khom, along with two other suspects, was finally arrested on Monday. The two other suspects are believed to be his sister and the former abbot, a senior ruler of the Buddhist temple.

Donations were earmarked for the temple.

Khom also allegedly had a sexual relationship with followers and was removed from office. The Criminal Court for Cases of Corruption and Misconduct called for the suspects' detention to be extended by 12 days while the investigation continued.

According to the police chief, the crimes in question could have taken place as far back as 2020. The motive behind them is the significant amount of money that loyal individuals donated to the temple, which was intended for a specific purpose. The suspects may have erroneously believed that the donations came from the trust and faith that people had in them. However, this is different.

The majority of Thais, over 90 percent, follow the Buddhist faith and hold monks in high regard. Nevertheless, there has been a rise in criticism of their accumulation of wealth.