Monks accused of embezzling state funds meant for Dhamma schools

By THE NATION

 

 

PM’s Office minister refuses to address query whether accused should resign
 

THREE MEMBERS of the Sangha Supreme Council (SSC) are facing allegations of having embezzled state funds meant for Dhamma schools. 

 

They are Phra Phromdilok, the abbot of Sam Phraya Temple; Phra Phrommedhi, an assistant abbot of Samphanthawongsaram Temple; and Phra Phromsitti, the abbot of Sa Ket Temple. 

 

Also implicated in the scandal are two senior monks, Phra Medhisuttikorn and Phra Wijitdhammaporn. Both are assistant abbots of Sa Ket Temple. 

 

“The National Buddhism Office [NBO] will take action against all those involved in line with laws and policies laid down by Prime Minister and National Council for Peace and Order chief General Prayut Chan-o-cha,” PM’s Office Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana said yesterday.

 

Earlier this month, the Cabinet approved anti-graft guidelines that prescribe quick action against officials accused of corruption. 

 

According to Suwaphan, the NBO last September detected irregularities in the use of state funds for Dhamma schools and for the promotion of Buddhism. 

 

The NBO urged the police to investigate. 

 

Case with NACC

 

The investigation later suggested several state officials and temples might have been involved, prompting the Central Investigation Bureau to nudge the NBO to bring the case to the police force’s Counter Corruption Division. 

 

That division has now forwarded the case to the National Anti-Corruption Commission. 

 

Suwaphan yesterday declined to comment when asked if the accused SSC members should step down in order to facilitate the ongoing probe. 

 

“The judicial process and the Sangha process are separate,” Suwaphan said. 

 

He added that the SSC would very likely discuss the allegations and handle the scandal. 

 

Asked about some senior monks’ comments that NBO director Pol Lt-Colonel Pongporn Parmsneh’s efforts to scrutinise temples and monks are hurting Buddhism, Suwaphan said, “I think everyone has one’s duty to do”.

 

On August 29 last year, Pongporn was transferred from helming the NBO to the post of inspector-general at the Office of the Prime Minister amid widespread rumours that his efforts to eradicate corruption at temples might have upset some high-ranking monks. 

 

Pongporn fought the transfer order, which was endorsed by the Cabinet, until the Cabinet agreed |to reinstall him as the head of the NBO.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30343511

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-04-20

I have little doubt that there is embezzlement going on in the temples of Thailand; there is theft of funds in every other institution, so why not the temples as well?

 

However...

 

17 minutes ago, webfact said:

That division has now forwarded the case to the National Anti-Corruption Commission. 

 

After clearing Prawit and his watches, who believes that the NACC is a good/fair/independent/responsible/accountable/neutral/acceptable (choose your own adjective) organization?

 

The NACC has utterly failed to demonstrate that it is competent or neutral; in fact it is tainted beyond repair. Thus, any case it takes will, by definition, have a tainted outcome.

 

Disband the NACC now, it is loooooooong past it's 'use before' date.

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

On August 29 last year, Pongporn was transferred from helming the NBO to the post of inspector-general at the Office of the Prime Minister amid widespread rumours that his efforts to eradicate corruption at temples might have upset some high-ranking monks. 

corruption protecting itself

Thailands ''Dirty Little Secrets''..volume 10

Buddha would cry under his Bhodi tree if he could see the ways his teachings have been mangled in this country!

3 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

I have little doubt that there is embezzlement going on in the temples of Thailand; there is theft of funds in every other institution, so why not the temples as well?

I think the fact that the orange clad brigade are always in the malls buying phones and lap tops and driving fancy cars is a fine indicator of that. 

Feeding at the trough in this religion 

follows all the others , only about free 

money.

When Monk steal, country have no morals.

Another day; another embezzlement case.  Until crooks are punished severely, nothing will change.

'guidelines that prescribe quick action against officials accused of corruption. '  Several years of appeals and a not guilty verdict ten years down the line.

Sadly this is becoming the norm, become a monk because there is BIG money to be made.

Gone are the days of monks joining to do good for the people, now it is all about how much can i make/scam if i am a monk.

Two thousand years ago, a Jew in the middle east, called Jesus called the temples " dens of iniquity" where the temple had become a marketplace for money changers, thieves, and other nefarious activities. etc.

Two thousand years later, in Thailand, and of course in other countries too,  it is sometimes worse with monks being accused of engaging in sexual activity with minors, drinking alcohol, drug use and dealing, financial scams, and not following the teachings of the Buddha.

 

The 5 precepts. None of which are followed by many in saffron robes....................

1. No killing                              Respect for life 
2. No stealing                            Respect for others' property 
3. No sexual misconduct           Respect for our pure nature 
4. No lying                                Respect for honesty 
5. No intoxicants                       Respect for a clear mind

                                                                                       

https://www.google.co.th/search?q=thai+monks+with+mobiles&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi20fvE8sfaAhUhSo8KHeDuDd8Q_AUICigB&biw=1366&bih=637

 

 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Phra Phromdilok, the abbot of Sam Phraya Temple; Phra Phrommedhi, an assistant abbot of Samphanthawongsaram Temple; and Phra Phromsitti, the abbot of Sa Ket Temple

looks like they've got a habit, and not the orange one

 

4 hours ago, PatOngo said:

Buddha would cry under his Bhodi tree if he could see the ways his teachings have been mangled in this country!

Come on, all of them combined made way less than Billy Graham accumulated. Give them a break.

6 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

I have little doubt that there is embezzlement going on in the temples of Thailand; there is theft of funds in every other institution, so why not the temples as well?

 

However...

 

 

After clearing Prawit and his watches, who believes that the NACC is a good/fair/independent/responsible/accountable/neutral/acceptable (choose your own adjective) organization?

 

The NACC has utterly failed to demonstrate that it is competent or neutral; in fact it is tainted beyond repair. Thus, any case it takes will, by definition, have a tainted outcome.

 

Disband the NACC now, it is loooooooong past it's 'use before' date.

 

Not to derail the topic, but AFIK the NACC did not clear Prawit at all.. they were still busy. It was Prawit who said it was over but not the NACC. Did I miss some news (genuinely asking you this as I really thought the NACC were still busy with this)

22 minutes ago, jonnn said:

Come on, all of them combined made way less than Billy Graham accumulated. Give them a break.

How would you or anyone really know?

Full accounting is lacking:

Temples get billions of dollars in annual donations and have also largely eluded even the junta’s control.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-buddhism/thai-junta-seeks-to-force-temples-to-open-their-finances-idUSKBN1970WG

Even when the junta attempted to arrest Phra Dhammachayo accused of colluding in a £28m money laundering scheme, it failed. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/10/thailand-authorities-seek-disrobe-scandal-hit-buddhist-abbot

Recently three members of the Sangha Supreme Council are facing allegations of having embezzled state funds meant for Dhamma schools.  http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30343511

 

All over the world there seems to be as much money to be made off of gullible people in the name of religion as there is to be made by crooked politicians leading countries like in LOS.