Thai police chief in Germany to collect monk

By The Nation

 

 

Secretary resigns after personal life exposed

 

A HIGH-RANKING monk who fled accusations of money-laundering will be escorted back to Thailand tomorrow, according to a source with the police team sent to collect him from detention in Germany. 

 

Phra Phrommedhi fled first to Laos before arriving on Friday at Frankfurt Airport where he was detained by Immigration officials.

 

A team of police and prosecutors led by national police chief Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda has travelled to Frankfurt to arrest the suspect over allegations he embezzled state funds meant for temples.

 

The source said Thai police had bought 14 air tickets with THAI Airways, with one reserved for the fugitive.

 

However, in a break with routine procedure, the team did not include a lawyer. 

 

Prayut Phetchakhun, deputy spokesman at the Office of the Attorney General, told reporters that his office wasn’t contacted to send any attorney. Under normal procedure, police who locate a fugitive overseas inform the Attorney General’s Office to allow co-ordination with the Foreign Ministry in securing the suspect’s extradition, Prayut said. 

 

A source from the police team said the case of Phra Phrommedhi differed because Thailand had asked Germany not to allow the fugitive to enter the country. Hence German officials revoked his visa and prepared for his deportation rather than extradition.

 

On May 24, police raided three temples in Bangkok in search of seven senior monks wanted on charges of embezzling state funds.

 

Two of the suspects – Phra Phrommedhi, former assistant abbot of Samphanthawongsaram Temple, and ex-Sa Ket Temple abbot Phra Phromsitti – initially managed to elude arrest. However, Phra Phromsitti surrendered earlier this week, was denied bail, defrocked and sent to jail. 

 

Phra Phrommedhi, meanwhile, was nabbed in Germany. 

 

Yesterday, Phra Wisutthisatsanawithet, the 37-year-old private secretary of Phra Phromsitti, was brought to the Crime Suppression Division for interrogation.

 

He is not implicated in embezzlement but police had found intimate photos with laymen. By monastic rules, monks must uphold a vow of celibacy. 

 

An informed source said Phra Wisutthisatsanawithet, an engineering graduate, had quickly climbed the monastic ranks in just 16 years of monkhood. But after his alleged sexual relationships with men were exposed, he left the monkhood yesterday. 

 

Phra Buddha Isara, now known as Suwit Thongprasert, is one of the formerly esteemed monks being detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison. 

 

The facility’s chief Krit Krasaetip said Suwit was sent to the Corrections Department’s hospital yesterday after he reported having black faeces. 

 

“But doctors have explained that it’s a side effect of medicines given to him to treat his herniated disc. So, he has already returned to the correctional facility,” Krit said. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30346976

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-06-05

funny how they can round some people up abroad but not others eh

So it takes 13 people including the national police chief, who you think would have better things to do, to bring back a solitary fugitive. Jeez, this bloke must be super dangerous. But then again, think of the photo ops, folks. Just for a laugh, I'm imagining that if a foreign police force nabs the Red Bull scumbag, the national police chief will suddenly be on holiday, and Pol Pvte Somchai will be pulled from traffic duty in Nakhon Nowhere to go and collect him -- but he has to pay his own fare.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

However, in a break with routine procedure, the team did not include a lawyer

I guess soneone’s mia noi got the nod over a lawyer.

10 minutes ago, Dexlowe said:

So it takes 13 people including the national police chief, who you think would have better things to do, to bring back a solitary fugitive. Jeez, this bloke must be super dangerous. But then again, think of the photo ops, folks. Just for a laugh, I'm imagining that if a foreign police force nabs the Red Bull scumbag, the national police chief will suddenly be on holiday, and Pol Pvte Somchai will be pulled from traffic duty in Nakhon Nowhere to go and collect him -- but he has to pay his own fare.

I was wondering exactly why it takes 13 people to bring him back.  A few scenarios perhaps.  Firstly they are flying business no doubt so between them that is 390 kg of "goodies" they can take out of Thailand.  Secondly given their proclivity to "allowing" wanted people to escape perhaps the Germans stopping this alleged crook has caused the Thais massive loss of face insofaras this time he was apprehended and now they have to bring him back,  rather then enjoying a live of leisure with the space ship Monk and those members of the administration/Elite who supports them. Hence the need for lots of "goodies" to be taken out as a "sorry , we tried to let you go" present.

 

And thirdly, it will be a direct flight back to BKK, hence even for the RTP/Thai administration to set up a remarkable escape from custody en route to Thailand will require somewhat of a Houdini act.

Edited June 4, 20188 yr by Esso49

1 minute ago, rkidlad said:

I guess soneone’s mia noi got the nod over a lawyer.

probably haha

What a bloody joke 13 spongers off on a jolly.

Why do the big boss and prosecutors need to go?

 Because its a freebie.

Edited June 4, 20188 yr by colinneil

2 minutes ago, colinneil said:

What a bloody joke 13 spongers off on a jolly.

Why do the big boss and prosecutors need to go?

 Because its a freebie.

no such thing as a freebie mate. someones paying even if they are unaware of it

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The facility’s chief Krit Krasaetip said Suwit was sent to the Corrections Department’s hospital yesterday after he reported having black faeces. 

 

If they look closely, it might reveal yesterday's lottery numbers.

1 minute ago, Happy enough said:

no such thing as a freebie mate. someones paying even if they are unaware of it

Yes the Thai taxpayer is paying for it.

My comment was about it being a freebie for those travelling

Just now, colinneil said:

Yes the Thai taxpayer is paying for it.

My comment was about it being a freebie for those travelling

i know what you meant mate ?

Must be a Shaolin monk they're bringing back.

Can you say Junket?

Most countries would send a couple of sergeants.

Some collect amulets and some collect Monks to me they all look the same. 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

A team of police and prosecutors led by national police chief Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda has travelled to Frankfurt

Ah, Schnitzel-time!

1 hour ago, Darcula said:

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The facility’s chief Krit Krasaetip said Suwit was sent to the Corrections Department’s hospital yesterday after he reported having black faeces. 

  

If they look closely, it might reveal yesterday's lottery numbers.

Let me guess - it has number two in it.

Was there a suspect from the immigration crackdown? - He reported having black faces.

 

I wonder how carefully Customs will be examining their baggage on re-entry to Thailand, bearing in mind the severe restriction on value of goods that can be imported duty-free?

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The source said Thai police had bought 14 air tickets with THAI Airways, with one reserved for the fugitive.

Wouldn't be surprised to read: 140 cops arrested 7-11 shoplifter. Evidence, a stolen lipstick, was found in his pocket.

It is really unbelievable thirteen high ranking officials have to travel to Germany and back to collect one ex- monk.

And of course a lawyer was "forgotten"

Shameful!

Talking about loss if face.

I presume the German authorities will talk about this for a very long time.

 

3 hours ago, Esso49 said:

I was wondering exactly why it takes 13 people to bring him back.  A few scenarios perhaps.  Firstly they are flying business no doubt so between them that is 390 kg of "goodies" they can take out of Thailand.  Secondly given their proclivity to "allowing" wanted people to escape perhaps the Germans stopping this alleged crook has caused the Thais massive loss of face insofaras this time he was apprehended and now they have to bring him back,  rather then enjoying a live of leisure with the space ship Monk and those members of the administration/Elite who supports them. Hence the need for lots of "goodies" to be taken out as a "sorry , we tried to let you go" present.

 

And thirdly, it will be a direct flight back to BKK, hence even for the RTP/Thai administration to set up a remarkable escape from custody en route to Thailand will require somewhat of a Houdini act.

More to the point, what about the 390kg of goodies coming back?

13 police to collect an already detained monk from a secure air side facility?

 

Very frugal with taxpayers money this lot.

4 hours ago, Darcula said:

 

If they look closely, it might reveal yesterday's lottery numbers.

Indeed young man .  I wonder what the lucky turd number is.

I can't tell you how hard done by I would feel if arrested by the RTP, even if  my crimes were brutal and damaging to individuals and society.

Nothing could convince me that the collective criminality that is the Thai police is harming the country more than any other criminal behaviour. 

7 hours ago, colinneil said:

What a bloody joke 13 spongers off on a jolly.

Why do the big boss and prosecutors need to go?

 Because its a freebie.

Wait till the Pm goes to Europe? Be 550 on the gravy train

5 hours ago, Classic Ray said:

I wonder how carefully Customs will be examining their baggage on re-entry to Thailand, bearing in mind the severe restriction on value of goods that can be imported duty-free?

Oh it will be tough to get through Customs you wait and see. Be like custom's official will say " What you bring back for me" Answer come to my house later i show you Ok keep moving

7 hours ago, Dexlowe said:

So it takes 13 people including the national police chief, who you think would have better things to do, to bring back a solitary fugitive. Jeez, this bloke must be super dangerous. But then again, think of the photo ops, folks. Just for a laugh, I'm imagining that if a foreign police force nabs the Red Bull scumbag, the national police chief will suddenly be on holiday, and Pol Pvte Somchai will be pulled from traffic duty in Nakhon Nowhere to go and collect him -- but he has to pay his own fare.

That's far better- only 3 posts in and Boy go a mention- YOU can have a biscuit!

On 6/5/2018 at 6:28 AM, colinneil said:

Yes the Thai taxpayer is paying for it.

My comment was about it being a freebie for those travelling

And you think it's a big freebie bonus to travel (11,5h) to germany, sleep in the airport hotel and next day fly (11,5h) back to Thailand?

I don't know someone who want this as a present!!!

Just now, snowgard said:

And you think it's a big freebie bonus to travel (11,5h) to germany, sleep in the airport hotel and next day fly (11,5h) back to Thailand?

I don't know someone who want this as a present!!!

Well then you do not understand Thais, they will sit on the back of a pickup for many hours just to say later i went to the beach yesterday.

Thais will endure severe discomfort just to visit a place a long way away.

2 hours ago, snowgard said:

And you think it's a big freebie bonus to travel (11,5h) to germany, sleep in the airport hotel and next day fly (11,5h) back to Thailand?

I don't know someone who want this as a present!!!

2

i would? Throw in a couple Freulins as well would be great also

On 6/5/2018 at 9:49 AM, hansnl said:

It is really unbelievable thirteen high ranking officials have to travel to Germany and back to collect one ex- monk.

And of course a lawyer was "forgotten"

Shameful!

Talking about loss if face.

I presume the German authorities will talk about this for a very long time.

 

 

It does seem a touch extravagant. are the 13 people (plus or minus one lawyer) justified anywhere or should we assume it's another junket for obedient minions?