Thai police announced on September 15, 2026 that assets tied to the corruption case at Wat Phutthaisawan, a royal temple in Ayutthaya, have surpassed 300 million baht (roughly $9.2 million), up sharply from the 215 million baht disclosed when the case broke on September 11. The temple's former abbot, Atichot Thanprasert (อติโชติ ทันประเสริฐ, previously known by his monastic title Luang Phor Atichot and referred to in Thai media by the defrocked term Somee Choti after leaving the monkhood), created the Nuea Duang amulet coin (เหรียญเหนือดวง, literally 'Above Fate'), a Jatukam Ramathep-linked talisman once prized among collectors. He and an associate, Punyawee Rungruang (ปุณยวีร์ รุ่งเรือง, nicknamed Sika Ay), were denied bail by a court on September 11 and remanded until September 23. The case remains at the investigation stage, and no court has issued a verdict against either defendant.
From Amulet Fame to Embezzlement Charges
Wat Phutthaisawan is a royally sponsored temple, and Atichot's tenure as abbot made him the figure behind one of the more talked-about amulet coins of recent years. Merit Messenger previously reported how the secondary-market price of the Nuea Duang coin collapsed by roughly 90 percent once news of his arrest broke. Police now allege that Atichot diverted about 22 million baht in donation receipts tied to amulet rentals and roughly 89 million baht in general temple donations, funneling the money through Punyawee and a foundation registered under a charitable name, a structure investigators say resembles laundering schemes seen in other temple scandals. A raid on September 11 turned up 144 million baht in cash, gold worth roughly 70 million baht, numerous amulets, and 28 land title deeds, for an initial total near 215 million baht, as detailed in Merit Messenger's earlier coverage of the widening Wat Phutthaisawan scandal.
Assets Pass 300 Million Baht as the Probe Enters a New Phase
| Date | Disclosed Assets |
|---|---|
| September 11, 2026 | About 215 million baht (144M cash, ~70M in gold, amulets, 28 land deeds) |
| September 15, 2026 | Over 300 million baht (newly discovered bank deposits) |
Pol Gen Nathathorn, chief of the Central Investigation Bureau, said the additional funds surfaced as investigators widened their review of bank accounts, and that the case has been referred to the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to trace the flow of funds. He described the investigation as unfolding in three phases, with phases two and three expected to widen its scope and potentially name one or two more suspects. He noted that no summons has yet been issued to amulet appraisers or dealers, even though some in the trade have voluntarily come forward with information. At the September 11 bail hearing, the court cited Sections 108/1(2) and (5) of the Criminal Procedure Code, denying release over concerns the defendants could tamper with witnesses or evidence.
What This Means for Collectors
For overseas buyers, the practical takeaway is twofold. First, the Nuea Duang coin's collector value has already been hit hard by the scandal, so it should not currently be treated as an investment piece; collect it, if at all, because you like it, not to flip it. Second, police have signaled the investigation could still expand to appraisers and dealers, meaning provenance disputes around amulets consecrated during Atichot's tenure may resurface. Buyers considering pieces tied to Wat Phutthaisawan should insist on documentation and be cautious about rarity claims tied to this specific lineage. For a steadier entry point into wealth-focused amulets with well-documented lineages, see Merit Messenger's guide to the best Thai amulets for wealth and prosperity.
Source: Thairath, MGR Online