Former Buddhist chief and executives charged with embezzling 30 million baht

[webfact]

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is set to charge a former head of the National Office of Buddhism (NOB) and two high-ranking executives with embezzling millions from temple budgets.

 

The NACC, after green-lighting resolutions on two alleged temple embezzlement cases, is now preparing to unleash a legal storm upon the accused trio, led by ex-NOB chief Nopparat Benjawattananan. NACC Secretary-General Niwatchai Kasemmongkol declared that the evidence amassed will be handed over to the courts, ensuring justice prevails.

 

Three revered temples in Ayutthaya – Wat Tamnak, Wat Photong, and Wat Jongkolnee were involved in the embezzlement case. Nopparat, alongside his alleged partners-in-crime, Pranom Kongpikul and Wasawat Kittitheerasit, stands accused of masterminding an audacious plan.

 

Their modus operandi involved coercing the temples to cough up a staggering 90% of their annual subsidies in 2013, under the guise of aiding remote temples in the southern provinces. Wat Jongkolnee, bowing to their demands, handed over a hefty 1.6 million baht, with the cheque conveniently finding its way into the hands of Wathanyu Petcharat, Nopparat’s own brother.

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-12-23

 

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[Morch]

They charged the head NOB.

Good start.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

ex-NOB chief Nopparat Benjawattananan.

Priceless.

[klauskunkel]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

ex-NOB

those silent Ks...

[brianthainess]

Just a state Funded Cult with NOB Heads. And to think our taxes pay for it, and schools must embrace it.

[zzaa09]

It's a racket guised as a spiritual institution. 

Acts as a conduit for corrupted activities.

 

What a shame.

Not a calling but instead an income producing endeavor. 

[digger70]

Former Buddhist chief and executives charged with embezzling 30 million baht

 

Why in Satans name do the temples get an handout from the government  Peoples tax money.

Don't they get millions off THB  direct or indirect  from the people everyday they don't need it.

The money should be spend on the people,Pensions social security.

[quake]

Naughty Buddhists at it again.

30 million, your get a lot of, Booze, Birds and Tabs for that.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 23, 2023 by quake

[mikebell]

23 hours ago, webfact said:

the evidence amassed will be handed over to the courts, ensuring justice prevails.

If only that were true and courts could be relied on.

Yet another area of Thai life riddled with corruption; is it genetic or learned behaviour?

[stoner]

but remember folks take your shoes off and show some gd respect when entering a temple. what a total joke thai buddhism is. 

 

i mean this is the tippy top of the food chain and he is a corrupt piece of s. not at all surprised in the least. 

Edited December 24, 2023 by stoner

[spidermike007]

I think something like this should be a mandatory death penalty, you set the example, no tolerance for this kind of nonsense. I've heard so many stories about embezzlement of funds by Thai Monks, and the level of tolerance that society shows toward it is unacceptable. Time for this kind of thing to stop, lock them up, or execute them. 

[zzaa09]

9 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

.....and the level of tolerance that society shows toward it is unacceptable. 

That's the key factor. The general appearance of indifference or just brushing it off is quite hard wired. 

If society [as a collective] socially demanded that monks, abbots and the Wat infrastructures functioned as an extended community venture - as they used to be - instead of acting as a conduit for ciphering funds for personal advancement. This seemingly unethical [even criminal] behaviour is quite evident within the hierarchy where senior abbots and patriarchy are uncommonly and personally wealthy.......wealth that should be contributed back into the respective community. 

 

One basic manner in which this could be corrected would be for the good people to stop extending cash donations. Every common action or tamboon of every description is associated with a cash advance. Food, assorted sundries, or extended volunteering for the Wat/monk - that's fine. But not loads of cash. 

 

I've been around long enough to remember the good old days regarding romantic notions [and theory] of the humble monk and serving the community, all the while the community serve the monk by feeding and clothing them. They don't require to be "employed" and having an income. A bit dreamy, I know......it just doesn't work that way any more. 

[BayArea]

15 hours ago, stoner said:

but remember folks take your shoes off and show some gd respect when entering a temple. what a total joke thai buddhism is. 

 

i mean this is the tippy top of the food chain and he is a corrupt piece of s. not at all surprised in the least. 

My wife is no longer a practicing Buddhist.  She used to ignore the rampant corruption or made excuses for these monks, but she has stop making excuses for their disgusting behavior.  The only sympathy she feels are for the poor Thai who continued to followed with blind faith. 

[hughrection]

Substitute the light for the opportunity to make money and be corrupt here in Thailand and this clip pretty much sums up the whole country.

 

 

[beautifulthailand99]

On 12/23/2023 at 3:34 PM, brianthainess said:

Just a state Funded Cult with NOB Heads. And to think our taxes pay for it, and schools must embrace it.

Yup that tax thing is going to become more annoying as they take more of it. But unlike the Thais, you won't get a vote. But they don't really either !

[beautifulthailand99]

9 hours ago, BayArea said:

My wife is no longer a practicing Buddhist.  She used to ignore the rampant corruption or made excuses for these monks, but she has stop making excuses for their disgusting behavior.  The only sympathy she feels are for the poor Thai who continued to followed with blind faith. 

This tamboon 'making merit' is the biggest scam out that by donating to temples and monks the person can help to wipe out any transgressions that may have been done. It's rather like medieval Catholic indulgences to buy your way into heaven. I don't think the Buddha ever intended this to happen indeed the exact opposite. Funny that nearly all religions bar none are obsessed with getting money and fleecing their followers.

[sammieuk1]

One may ask wat the hell is going on at Nobbys🤔