Temple Abbot in Thailand Embezzled $9 Million for Baccarat Gambling, Sentenced to 50 Years in Prison

^{Pictured: Yaem Ingkrungkao, former abbot of a Buddhist temple}

The former abbot of Wat Rai Khing, a Buddhist temple in Thailand, has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for embezzling funds to finance online baccarat gambling, the Bangkok Post reported.

A court found 70-year-old Yaem Ingkrungkao, known by his monastic name Phra Thamma Wachiranawat, guilty of abuse of office and misappropriation of funds. The total amount embezzled exceeded $9 million.

Investigators said the money was systematically withdrawn from temple accounts and used for gambling. Funds were transferred to personal accounts and then to third parties acting as intermediaries in online gambling.

Four other defendants were each sentenced to eight years in prison for assisting in the scheme. They plan to appeal.

Authorities uncovered the operation during a covert investigation. Police monitored activity at the temple for about eight months, with one officer working undercover and documenting financial transactions.

On May 15, 2025, Ingkrungkao turned himself in to police. He was defrocked the same day and taken into custody.

Wat Rai Khing, located in Nakhon Pathom province west of Bangkok, is one of Thailand’s best-known temples and receives significant donations.

Gambling Park previously reported that Buddhist monks in Thailand have been banned from predicting winning lottery numbers.