Beginning 1 October 2025, a new ministerial regulation will require all public donations and financial proceeds intended for Buddhist temples in Thailand to be deposited directly into official temple bank accounts. The regulation will also cap the amount of money that any individual monk or abbot may personally hold at 100,000 baht.
Under the new policy, both temple accounts and the personal bank accounts of abbots will be subject to monthly audits. Authorities say the measure aims to ensure proper financial management and to curb potential misuse of temple funds, particularly by senior clerics.
The regulation coincides with growing public concern following multiple sex and financial misconduct scandals involving over 20 senior monks. Many of these cases have been linked to alleged misuse of temple funds and personal financial dealings with a woman identified only as “Golf,” who is reported to have had close relationships with several high-ranking monks.
In response to the controversy, Chusak Sirinil, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and a member of the Pheu Thai party, announced that he is drafting legislation to further address the mismanagement of temple finances. The proposed bill would impose criminal penalties on monks found guilty of serious disciplinary violations, including those tied to sexual misconduct, as well as on any laypersons involved.
On the same day, Minister Suchart Tancharoen also met with Somdej Phra Phuttha Charn, a member of the Sangha Supreme Council, at Traimit Temple. Discussions reportedly focused on strengthening financial oversight of temple donations and formulating responses to the misconduct allegations.
