A senior Thai monk resigned and disrobed following allegations of a 15-year extramarital relationship, becoming the third high-profile figure to step down from Thailand’s monastic ranks amid scandal in 2025.
Phra Dhammawachiratheerakun, formerly the abbot of Wat Nakhon Sawan and ecclesiastical head of Nakhon Sawan province, submitted his resignation shortly before midnight on July 19, citing health concerns and negative media coverage that, he said, had adversely affected the monastic community. The resignation was made effective a day earlier, on July 18.
The case surfaced after the woman involved, reportedly upset by the monk’s suspected new relationship, made details of their long-standing affair public. According to police investigators, the pair had lived together as a couple for over 15 years—an arrangement that violates core Buddhist monastic rules.
Authorities from the Royal Thai Police’s Anti-Corruption and Misconduct Prevention Division and the Central Investigation Bureau began probing the claims after receiving complaints from members of the local community. The woman’s account, supported by digital evidence such as photos, chat messages, and video call screenshots, suggested repeated breaches of monkhood discipline. Among the images were photos of the monk wearing civilian clothing, including a wig and polo shirt, and others showing him shirtless with the woman embracing him.
The former monk, now using the name Tidsarit, is also under scrutiny for alleged financial irregularities tied to a decade-long Buddhist park construction project in Nakhon Sawan. Despite significant public donations, the project saw little progress until intervention by the late Luang Pho Phat of Wat Huai Duan. Investigators are examining whether temple funds may have been misused to finance personal relationships.
Authorities are further reviewing the woman’s assets, which include two houses, three vehicles, and several pieces of high-value jewelry. Land ownership in Chiang Rai province, allegedly transferred to a well-known fortune teller in Lamphun, is also under investigation.
This case marks the third such scandal this year involving senior monks in Thailand. Earlier cases included the defrocking of Phra Khun Yaem, abbot of Wat Rai Khing, linked to an online gambling network, and the “Miss Golf” case, which led to multiple defrockings related to sexual and financial misconduct.
Investigators suspect the former abbot may have been involved with multiple women during his tenure and that public funds could have been diverted to support these personal affairs. The broader pattern of misconduct has led to renewed calls for increased transparency and reform within Thailand’s monastic system.
