The anti-graft agency has ordered an inquiry into two former officials and one current employee at the National Office of Buddhism (NOB) over claims they embezzled maintenance funds for a well-known temple in Ayutthaya.
Sansern Poljeak, secretary-general of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), said yesterday the probe is directed against two former directors of the NOB -- Nopparat Benjawattananant and Phanom Sornsilp -- and Pranom Kongpikul, the office's deputy director.
The move comes after a sub-committee responsible for gathering facts about the alleged embezzlement at Wat Phanan Choeng found there were grounds to look into the three, he said.
Mr Nopparat, Mr Phanom and Ms Pranom are accused of having a hand in irregularities in the disbursement of maintenance funds totalling 20 million baht.
NACC member Surasak Khiriwichian has been assigned to lead the inquiry, Mr Sansern said.
He said the NACC will send a letter informing them of the probe.
They have the right to challenge the composition of the inquiry committee, he added.
The fact-finding probe was launched after the NACC received a report from the police Counter-Corruption Division (CCD), which has been looking into embezzlement cases involving the government's temple-maintenance funds.
This is one of 12 embezzlement cases involving temple funds that are being handled by the CCD, according to Mr Sansern.
He said the report sent to the NACC involves government officials, not monks.
But monks and other temple staff may be questioned as witnesses, he added.