Senior monk gets 26 years in jail for helping ‘embezzle’ temple funds

By Kesinee Tangkhieo 
The Nation

 

File photo: Phra Khru Kitti Patcharakhun

 

A SENIOR monk has received a 26-year jail term for colluding with a former National Buddhism Office (NBO) chief to embezzle temple funds.

 

Phra Khru Kitti Patcharakhun, abbot of Lat Khae Temple and the monastic chief of Phetchabun’s Chon Daen district, was found guilty yesterday for embezzling more than Bt24 million out of the Bt28-million budget the NBO had earmarked for 12 temples in four provinces. The court named then-NBO chief Nopparat Benjawatananan as the accomplice. Nopparat fled from Thailand during the investigation process. 

 

The statute of limitations in the case will expire in 2036.

 

“We will appeal,” the former abbot’s lawyer said after hearing the verdict from the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases. 

 

The monk had pleaded not guilty, claiming that he had simply complied with Nopparat’s suggestion, because the latter was a senior official. 

 

According to the monk, temples were asked to return in cash most of the funds that the NBO had transferred to their bank accounts. Nopparat claimed these funds would be used for temples in the restive South, the monk said. 

 

However, the court was not convinced, saying that the defendant as a senior monk should have known what was appropriate. With his high-ranking monastic position, a conviction would carry double the usual penalty. Hence, his actual sentence totals 39 years, though it was commuted to 26 years because the court found his testimony somewhat useful. 

 

As of press time yesterday, the monk’s lawyer was still trying to bail him out. If the bail request is rejected, the monk will be defrocked and sent to jail. 

 

As parts of the bail request, the lawyer has suggested that the monk be made to wear an electronic monitoring device and restrict his travel. 

While the court trials were ongoing, the monk had been granted a Bt1.5-million bail. 

 

Sources said Phra Khru Kitti Patcharakhun has also been fighting a Criminal Court lawsuit over allegations that he sexually abused three girls – all under the age of 15. The trial has concluded and the Criminal Court is scheduled to read its verdict on June 27. 

 

In a related development, 10 suspects including former senior monks who were part of the Sangha Supreme Council, are now in jail pending trial over charges of embezzling more than Bt200 million in temple funds. 

 

Phanom Sornsilp, another former chief of the NBO, is also implicated in the embezzlement.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30367932

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-04-19

12 minutes ago, webfact said:

Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct. 

If they ever look seriously at the corruption in the police, civil service, high ranking officials etc., this Court would be far busier than any other in Thailand, by a long way ! 

30 minutes ago, webfact said:

The monk had pleaded not guilty, claiming that he had simply complied with Nopparat’s suggestion, because the latter was a senior official

A suggestion, of  "help your self to the money its free,"

"ok , thank you, will do "

 

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The statute of limitations in the case will expire in 2036.

He’s safe then.

My wife says she can’t be alone or touch a monk even in the presence of others and I’ve actually seen a lady monk (?) that wouldn’t sit with my wife on a standing room only night train. This monk had three 15 year old girls,,, definitely some different behavioral rules for all involved than she goes by.

This being a monk business where everybody can be call himself a monk should be revised and scrutinised just like the priesthood, and some, not a few, are criminals fugitive from justice hiding under the saffron rob and the suctuary of religion, so no wonder we get to read these kind of articles frequently... 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

for embezzling more than Bt24 million out of the Bt28-million budget the NBO had earmarked

didnt get it all ? obviously not a professional

Looks like he spent a fair few mil at KFC and then involuntary donated the rest to a smiling cop ????

and that why I have 0 respect for these men in orange, could as well be an escaped murder convict

and that why I have 0 respect for these men in orange, could as well be an escaped murder convict

To continue your extrapolation, all Catholic priests are pedophiles.


Sent from my iPad using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

Ahh, the old 'I was only obeying orders' defence.

"Hey General, you know that person you were looking for to run the Buddhist Temple Homestay idea you were thinking off...found him".

5 hours ago, webfact said:

While the court trials were ongoing, the monk had been granted a Bt1.5-million bail. 

Looking at a 26 year stretch,he will be looking to do a runner,for sure.

regards Worgeordie

Sex, Money and Power. Such a familiar trio worldwide and locally it seems.

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Phra Khru Kitti Patcharakhun, abbot of Lat Khae Temple and the monastic chief of Phetchabun’s Chon Daen district, was found guilty yesterday for embezzling more than Bt24 million out of the Bt28-million budget the NBO had earmarked for 12 temples in four provinces. The court named then-NBO chief Nopparat Benjawatananan as the accomplice. Nopparat fled from Thailand during the investigation process. 

Both guilty !

Hope they've got some idea where Nopparat Benjawatanan has fled to.

8 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

If they ever look seriously at the corruption in the police, civil service, high ranking officials etc., this Court would be far busier than any other in Thailand, by a long way ! 

And there would be more people in prison than outside !

Was a skilled business man?

Perhaps he genuinely returned the funds to the other accused, as he may have had no interest in the monetary side of the temple :)??

 

8 hours ago, worgeordie said:

Looking at a 26 year stretch,he will be looking to do a runner,for sure.

regards Worgeordie

And someone (who wants to get rid of any incriminating evidence) will help him flee! As sure as night follows day!

8 hours ago, Sealbash said:

To continue your extrapolation, all Catholic priests are pedophiles.


Sent from my iPad using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

That church has been pretty corrupt for centuries but the locals are making a good try at outdoing them! 

Phony amulets are us !!   

Why doesn't this surprise me. ALL religions are about 3 things and 3 things only MONEY, POWER, and CONTROL of the population. I stopped believing in fairy tales a long time ago.!!

On ‎4‎/‎19‎/‎2019 at 8:40 AM, worgeordie said:

Looking at a 26 year stretch,he will be looking to do a runner,for sure.

regards Worgeordie

He can run all he likes but he will return as a lizard in the next life!

3 hours ago, PatOngo said:

He can run all he likes but he will return as a lizard in the next life!

I like lizards