• A Thai monk has been arrested for allegedly embezzling over $9 million.
• Funds were reportedly redirected to an illegal online gambling network.
• Heavy backlash on social media has followed the incident.

Thai police have arrested a Buddhist monk, Abbot Phra Thammachiranuwat, over allegations of embezzling more than $9 million from the prominent Wat Rai Khing temple, which relied on donations from worshippers. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) claims he siphoned over 300 million baht (around $9.05 million) from the temple's bank account into his own, with investigations revealing that these funds were linked to an illegal online gambling network running baccarat games, according to India Times, Channel News Asia, South China Morning Post, and CBS News.

Phra Thammachiranuwat has been charged with corruption and malfeasance, with CIB deputy commissioner Jaroonkiat Pankaew indicating that the arrest aims to "help purify our religion." Authorities have also detained a second suspect and are probing possible involvement from others, while local media reports suggest the abbot has now left the monkhood, according to India Times and Channel News Asia.

The incident has caused significant backlash on social media, with many users expressing their intention to redirect their charitable donations away from temples. Pankaew commented on the situation, recognizing that the arrest would help restore faith in the religious institution. Some users urged others not to generalize, stating, "Not all monks are bad," according to South China Morning Post and CBS News.