The corruption case against Phra Ajarn Chote (อาจารย์โชติ), the disgraced former abbot of Wat Phutthaisawan (วัดพุทไธศวรรย์) in Ayutthaya, Thailand, and creator of the temple's Zedujin (Jatukam Ramathep-style) amulet series, escalated sharply on September 14, 2026. Thai police confirmed that raids across six sites in Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Bangkok, and Buriram provinces recovered cash and gold worth a combined 215.2 million baht (roughly $6.6 million) — more than double the 92 million baht embezzlement figure first reported when Chote was arrested and defrocked. The same day, disciples of the temple's earlier, widely respected abbot, the late Luang Phor Huan (หลวงพ่อหวล), gathered at Wat Phutthaisawan, poured water around Chote's former quarters to "wash away the bad luck," and demanded the temple's management be returned under Luang Phor Huan's name.
Seized Assets Far Exceed Initial Reports
We first covered Chote's arrest and forced disrobing over an alleged 92-million-baht misappropriation of temple funds (see Wat Phutthaisawan Abbot Arrested and Disrobed Over 92 Million Baht). Thai police now say the initial complaint dates back to July 15, 2026; Chote completed the disrobing process on September 10, and coordinated raids followed on September 11. From Chote's own quarters alone, investigators recovered roughly 138.3 million baht in cash and about 1 kilogram of gold (worth an estimated 70 million baht). A search of the home of a close female associate turned up a further 3.87 million baht in cash and about 90 grams of gold (roughly 6.15 million baht), on top of an estimated 290 million baht in bank transaction records now under review. Chote faces charges of malfeasance, abuse of official duty, and conspiracy to launder money; the associate faces charges of aiding an official's misconduct and money laundering conspiracy. Both cases remain under police investigation and prosecutorial review — no court has issued a ruling on any of the allegations.
Disciples of the Previous Abbot "Cleanse" the Temple
Chote built his reputation on the Zedujin series, particularly the "Nuea Duang" ("Above Fate") gold coin, which had drawn intense collector demand (see our guide to the Jatukam Ramathep phenomenon). His arrest triggered a 90% crash in Nuea Duang resale prices (Nuea Duang Coin Crashes 90% After Abbot's Arrest), and several dealers subsequently began issuing full refunds (Thai Dealers Refund Nuea Duang Coins After Abbot's Arrest). The group that gathered on September 14 represented the lineage of Chote's predecessor, the late Luang Phor Huan, who is credited with restoring Wat Phutthaisawan from disrepair decades ago. A participant identified as "Lek Barcode" said the group wants the temple's name and legacy "returned to its rightful place," and called for anyone aligned with Chote to step away from temple affairs. Religious affairs officials, police, and a fine arts department representative were present to mediate.
Religious Affairs Chair: Stop Turning Faith Into Content
The widening scandal has drawn an official response. Thiwaelrat Angkinanth, an MP for Phetchaburi and chair of the National Assembly's Religious Affairs, Arts and Culture Committee, publicly called on venue operators, content creators, and influencers to stop mining the case for crude comedy and viral clicks, saying the country's shared faith "should not be trampled because of one person's wrongdoing." She urged the public to document and report any commercial exploitation of the scandal to authorities. Thailand's National Office of Buddhism has separately stated that the case is an isolated individual matter, that it has no evidence of similar misconduct at other temples, and has asked the public not to spread or believe unverified claims.
What This Means for Amulet Collectors
For overseas buyers, this is more than tabloid drama. The market credibility of Wat Phutthaisawan's Zedujin series — especially the Nuea Duang coin — has taken a serious hit, and resale prices remain volatile. Anyone considering a piece from this series should prioritize verifying Samakom Phra certification and provenance over condition or rarity alone. It's also worth distinguishing between the temple's two eras: amulets from the Luang Phor Huan period carry a largely untarnished reputation, while those tied to the Chote era now sit under a cloud of active litigation, with both their spiritual standing and resale value in flux. The case's next steps — including any court ruling and the resolution of the temple's leadership dispute — are worth watching closely.
Source: Thaipost, MGR Online