'Jet-Setting Monk' Convicted, Gets 114 Years

By Jintamas Saksornchai, Staff Reporter

 

An image from video which emerged in 2013 shows Wirapol Sukphol or Luang Puu Nen Kham on board a private jet.

 

BANGKOK — A former monk who became a national pariah for his high-flying lifestyle was convicted of defrauding his followers Thursday and sentenced to more than a century in prison.

 

The Criminal Court found Wirapol Sukphol, formerly known as Luang Puu Nen Kham, guilty of 42 counts of fraud, money laundering and computer crimes for bamboozling more than 28 million baht from at least 29 people.

 

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/2018/08/09/jet-setting-monk-convicted-gets-114-years/

 

-- © Copyright Khaosod English 2018-08-09

Refreshing. About time some baddie got some serious jail sentence.

Hopefully this is a starter. 

 

Wonder where the dosh went though  . . . .  ?

 

So how many months  will he actually have to serve?

‘Jet-set monk’ given 114-year jail sentence

By The Nation

 

Wiraphon Sukphon, known as Luang Pu Nenkham while he was a monk, was on Thursday sentenced to 114 years in prison for fraud, money laundering and violating the Computer Crimes Act.

 

He will, however, serve no more than 20 years, the maximum period allowed under the law.

 

The judge at Bangkok’s Ratchadapisek Criminal Court also ordered Wiraphon, 39, who was already being held at Bangkok Remand Prison, to repay 29 fraud victims a combined Bt28,649,553.

 

He was convicted of using his status as head of the Wat Pakhantitham forest monastery in Si Sa Ket between February 2009 and June 2013 to attract donations to build what he described as “the world’s largest Buddha statue” in jade and gold, as well as for other projects.

 

He solicited donations in person and via his website.

 

Ultimately 29 donors sued him for the money they’d given him.

 

The judge said Wiraphon had taken advantage of people’s faith and misused the donated money to buy 10 luxury cars and live extravagantly. The Civil Court earlier ordered assets worth more than Bt43 million confiscated.

 

He was sentenced to three years in jail term on each of the 29 counts of fraud, totalling 87 years.

 

On 12 counts of money laundering he was sentenced to 24 years.

 

Another three years’ prison time was added for violating the Computer Crimes Act.

 

Wiraphon still faces another trial in criminal court for allegedly raping a girl under 15 over whom he had unofficial custody in 2000-2001. A source at the court office said that ruling would come in October.

 

Wiraphon, extradited from the United States in July, was known as “the jet-set monk” after a video circulated in 2013 showing him aboard a private jet holding a Louis Vuitton bag and wearing brand-name sunglasses.

 

Another clip showed a man who looked like him lying beside a woman, although Wiraphon maintained it was not him but his brother.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30351811

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-08-09

Did they confiscate his expensive watch collection...……..oh wait...…..the precedent has been set concerning expensive watches collection already!

Guarantee he won't serve the full term.... ?

now, that's karma.

But the good news for him there is no rent to pay for the next 114 years ?

Thats 1 down, many more to go.

What about Damachayo? very quiet about him, he must be laughing his socks off, where ever he is.

From jet set to jail set in only 5 years.

Now go for the numerous other scammers in robes who cheat the poor peasant morons off their hard earned money:  

 

      

Religious leaders and jail. What could possibly go wrong?

 

Hang 'em high.

Better idea is to send him to Tham Krabok, for 20 years.  Let him do the treatment and then let him clean up after the people that are going through treatment.

Reduced to being called a "naughty boy" on appeal

" He will, however, serve no more than 20 years, the maximum period allowed under the law. "

Which leads to the eternal, unanswerable question "Why?"

Tip of the iceberg.

Bring on the Red Bull heir, and what about the black leopard Hi-so.? All swept under the table.

So they do extradite to a country being governed by the unelected military.

51 minutes ago, CelticBhoy said:

Refreshing. About time some baddie got some serious jail sentence.

Hopefully this is a starter. 

 

Wonder where the dosh went though  . . . .  ?

You could of clicked the link and got an answer, oh, no need, post #4 answers it.

 

Interesting that he was charged over 28m baht but they recovered 43m baht in assets.

 

Either there are a bunch of people out there who are too ashamed to say they were scammed or he's really good at investing his money.

46 minutes ago, webfact said:

Louis Vuitton bag and wearing brand-name sunglasses.

Nah, I saw him buying these off a stall in Patpong market. The shades were 300 and the bag 400.

1 minute ago, nahkit said:

You could of clicked the link and got an answer, oh, no need, post #4 answers it.

 

Interesting that he was charged over 28m baht but they recovered 43m baht in assets.

 

Either there are a bunch of people out there who are too ashamed to say they were scammed or he's really good at investing his money.

Or the money could have come from illegal activities.  OOPS forgot no one gives money to monks for laundering

He'll have a lot of time to think about what he did......

 

5 minutes ago, prakhonchai nick said:

Tip of the iceberg.

Bring on the Red Bull heir, and what about the black leopard Hi-so.? All swept under the table.

Black leopard guy is due in court this time next year, when everyone will have lost interest (they hope) the article was on here a few days ago.

As the longest sentence for any one offence is 3 years, am I correct in thinking that he will be free in 2021 ?   Multiple sentences do seem to be served concurrently in Thailand and most other countries.

5 minutes ago, MrMo said:

Multiple sentences do seem to be served concurrently in Thailand and most other countries.

You have a source for this.

 

I believe multiple similar crimes can be bundled in 1 sentencing, but never heard about the claim you make.

any one foolish enought to give money to religion needs a brain scan

all religious preachers should go to jail

 

49 minutes ago, colinneil said:

Thats 1 down, many more to go.

What about Damachayo? very quiet about him, he must be laughing his socks off, where ever he is.

an excellent case for a royal pardon. oops, never mind...

1 minute ago, janclaes47 said:

You have a source for this.

 

I believe multiple similar crimes can be bundled in 1 sentencing, but never heard about the claim you make.

As a source the many press reports on such sentencing around the world.   There is only so much in the budget for building and running prisons.

There was a case in Britain in the past few days were a guy on parole was sentenced to something like 2 1/2 years for another offence and had his parole revoked with 2 years still to run.   As the news article pointed out he effectively go just 6 months for the latest offence.

He’ll be living large in the clink... plenty of dough to grease the guards, though not enough to give him the expected slap on the wrist... or bottom if he prefers. But don’t be surprised if the “maximum 20 yrs by law” turns out to be a jot less...

What about the monk sitting behind him?

Lets not rule out the possibility of a heart felt wai and a week at the temple in lieu of the 20 years

plenty of time to mediate on whether all of the material things and possessions were actually worth it. Good luck in the next life pal 

Edited August 9, 20187 yr by Easy Come Easy Go