Many more temples may have embezzled state funds

By THE NATION

 

Thais and others continue to visit Bangkok’s Wat Sa Ket over the weekend despite allegations of temple fund embezzlement linked to senior monks there, including the elusive abbot Phra Phromsitti.

 

THE FOURTH round of investigations into the embezzlement of state funds meant for temple development has found at least another 30 temples alleged to have broken the law, with damages worth Bt100 million, a source at the Counter Corruption Division (CCD) of Royal Thai Police revealed yesterday.

 

The latest round targeted 60 temples in 13 provinces of upper Thailand, with 30 out of the 40 temples checked so far found to have committed wrongdoing, the source said.

 

CCD chief Pol Maj-General Kamol Rienracha, however, said the agency’s investigation into the National Buddhism Office’s (NBO) budget allocated for temple development during 2011-2016 was only about half completed and was still ongoing.

 

Although investigators have detected wrongdoings involving civil servants and monks, he declined to give the exact number of temples and suspects as that information wasn’t yet concluded pending further careful enquiries. 

 

Meanwhile, Crime Suppression Division (CSD) commander Pol Maj-General Maitree Chimcherd warned against aiding two senior monks wanted for alleged embezzlement of state funds meant for the Dhamma schools. Any disciple who provided lodging or by any means assisted in enabling the two senior monks to avoid arrest could be punished with imprisonment not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding Bt40,000, or both.

 

Phra Phromsitti, the abbot of Sa Ket Temple, and Phra Phrommedhi, an assistant abbot at Samphanthawongsaram Temple, who were believed to be in hiding in Thailand, had not yet contacted police to surrender, Maitree said.

 

Phra Phromsitti might have fled the temple on May 23 afternoon with the help of close aides, and he might be hiding at one of their homes, said CSD 1 superintendent Pol Colonel Thongchai Yooket.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30346387

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-05-28

And you are just finding this out? ?

 

When I first arrived in Phuket to meet my future wife's family, we went to their local temple. There was the abbot, getting out of his brand new S500 Mercedes! 20 years ago!

28 minutes ago, webfact said:

THE FOURTH round of investigations into the embezzlement of state funds meant for temple development has found at least another 30 temples alleged to have broken the law,

can't put temples in jail; People, identify and charge the People involved

This is hardly surprising news, but it is sad; many Thai people look to monks for their spiritual blessing. I cycle every morning around dawn and I see many women with food patiently waiting for the monks to come by their houses so that they can pray, contribute food and be blessed; how are these ladies going to feel?

 

The obvious answer here is to halt any government monies going to temples until there is a valid audit of all funds previously received. Or, perhaps an end to all government monies going to temples at all, but that would be a disruptive policy with strong secondary effects on Thai society.

 

Wouldn't it be nice if the monks themselves started acting as monks are supposed to do and cleaned themselves up?

 

Buddhism, temples and monks are integral elements of Thai society; reforming the sector is both vital and perilous; I sincerely hope they manage to do it properly.

 

Edited May 28, 20188 yr by Samui Bodoh
Lack of coffee

1 hour ago, webfact said:

the Counter Corruption Division (CCD) of Royal Thai Police

Well, how about that, there's a division to investigate corruption at the RTP. I'm amazed that they need to look outside their own walls to find work but I suppose the temples provide some diversion to keep the public content. Yes, I expect there are hundreds of temples with corruption taking place, where isn't there in this blighted country?

Somehow, when reading the OP and didn't fell of my chair, not uncommon for people in this country to have sticky fingers at everything that is not nailed to the floor, and no matter what class they're from.... and as i see it, it is the accepted norm here....

This must be Temple Run Thai edition. Collect coins and run from demonic creatures who want all treasures for themselves.

Headline not quite correct...Many more temples may have embezzled state funds.

Surely it should have been.... Many more temples  have embezzled state funds.

Edited May 28, 20188 yr by colinneil

Tell me it's not true - pious, upstanding monks dedicated to a life of following Lord Buddha's teaching supposedly cheating and being dishonest - nah, can't be true. 

4 minutes ago, Artisi said:

Tell me it's not true - pious, upstanding monks dedicated to a life of following Lord Buddha's teaching supposedly cheating and being dishonest - nah, can't be true. 

After reading your comment, 2 things come to mind.

1/ you are having a laugh or 2/ you have been on the juice.

Monks must be coming a very close 2nd in the embezzling and fraud ranks to the you know whos !

Why the surprise? One question only needs to be asked: "are they Thai?"

 

The presence or otherwise of dishonesty and corruption flows more or less automatically from the answer to that question.

 

Wake up!

2 hours ago, Lungstib said:

Well, how about that, there's a division to investigate corruption at the RTP. I'm amazed that they need to look outside their own walls to find work but I suppose the temples provide some diversion to keep the public content. Yes, I expect there are hundreds of temples with corruption taking place, where isn't there in this blighted country?

 

Thai police, owners of the thickest skins in the world.

5 minutes ago, KiwiKiwi said:

 

Thai police, owners of the thickest skins in the world.

Yes and also the deepest pockets.

Be monk, get rich!

Up is down left is right.

My wife thinks the PM's wife is Muslim and this is an attempt to convert the whole country to Islam. You can laugh i have to listen to all this!

3 hours ago, colinneil said:

After reading your comment, 2 things come to mind.

1/ you are having a laugh or 2/ you have been on the juice.

Must be the jungle juice, I can't believe any monk could be dishonest ? ? ?

3 hours ago, KiwiKiwi said:

Why the surprise? One question only needs to be asked: "are they Thai?"

 

The presence or otherwise of dishonesty and corruption flows more or less automatically from the answer to that question.

 

Wake up!

a good point, in the famous words of our esteemed leader - "no Thai would do this"

3 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Monks must be coming a very close 2nd in the embezzling and fraud ranks to the you know whos !

Second in the ranks to the "you know whos"? Not quite sure who you are referring to.

The RTP, politicians, military officers, civil servants, provincial administrators, school directors, lands department officials, customs officers, immigration officers or some other government department.

One positive thing to remember is that it is the RTP (Counter Corruption Division) who are investigating this case against the monks and abbots rather than that useless NACC body which is designed to protect the top end of town crooks.

There is no other government body in Thailand which knows more about corruption than the RTP. They are the perfect choice for the job.

Edited May 28, 20188 yr by Cadbury

Don't the monks know embezzling is a protected secular profession? Get with the program!

If comparisons were to be made I would be guessing that the amount the monks have taken is a mere bagatelle compared to what the Junta Party and the PM have collectively spent (and yet to spend) on their nationwide election campaign. 

The difference is that one is illegal theft of taxpayers funds while the other is completely honest but immoral use of Junta Party parliament approved taxpayer funds. Same, same but different!

I wonder if other religions have representatives who lie, cheat, steal, have sex with minors and hunger to build large edifices like cathedrals and churches. This is not just an issue with Thai monks and should not be used as an excuse to bash and chortle. As far as I can tell, there isn't a religion in the world that is above reproach.

Have you ever asked Thais what they are praying for when they pass a spirit house or receive a blessing from a monk?

 

Contrary to Western believers who may ask for world peace or the elimination of hunger, the ones I have asked here are asking for selfish reasons like good luck in betting or the lottery.

 

Check with your local Buddhists!

Common knowledge

Not sure why here in Thailand they limit the penalty to “no more than _ years” and “ no more than __ bt”?. 

Shouldnt the upper end be more flexible to reflect the seriousness of the crime? Stiffer ENFORCED penalties may lead to lower crime rates and can be used to help pay for the prison or re-education system.... or the inactive posts!

Nothing newsworthy here; move along please to the next story of endless thieving in the 'Land Of Shame' !

The state funds are likely just the tip of the iceberg. All those juicy donations..

Really!!