The police in Ayutthaya have issued a summons for a man accused of cheating a prominent monk out of 650,000 baht. Shortly after the incident, the monk was found dead in his temple, which has left the community mourning. Locals have confirmed that the funds borrowed by the monk were not used for lottery investments.
The monk, 68-year-old Chaiwat Trieethana, was discovered deceased on October 20, having died by hanging after he was swindled by a well-dressed man who posed as a benefactor for temple donations. This incident is under investigation, and it has been revealed that the suspect has a history of fraud at least three times in Phrae province.
The police have called in witnesses and relatives for questioning and have determined that the name “Lek Kimsawat,” written in a suicide note by the monk, is an alias. The actual perpetrator has been identified, and police are gathering evidence. A first summons has been issued for the suspect, with a second to follow if he fails to appear.
Moreover, it has come to light that this individual, known as Lek, is the same person who scammed villagers in Suphanburi last year, using a different name and allegedly collecting funds for a temple event without ever delivering the money.
In the meantime, preparations are underway for the monk’s funeral service, which includes arrangements decorated entirely in white and green flowers. His brother emphasized that the monk had always been dedicated to the temple and never personally profited from collected funds, calling for an end to rumors suggesting otherwise.
Additionally, a village chief noted that the temple committee is planning to discuss a way to repay the debts incurred by the monk as per his wishes, although they must consider legal regulations regarding these funds.
Local residents have also indicated that the perpetrator had built trust over months by often visiting the temple and borrowing small amounts before finally deceiving the monk into a larger loan. They insist that claims about the monk investing in lottery schemes are false, reaffirming his reputation for integrity.
This article was rewritten from a Thairath’s news article.
