Former abbot gets 468-year sentence in 300 million baht embezzlement case

[webfact]

 

The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases sentenced a former abbot of Wat Pa Dhammakiri in Nakhon Ratchasima, to an overwhelming 468 years in prison. This decision was made yesterday, March 20, following lawsuits that accused Khom Kongkaeowas and eight others of being embroiled in an embezzlement case worth nearly 300 million baht (US$8.34 million).

 

Among the eight accomplices were Wutthima Thaomor, Khom’s predecessor as abbot, Juthathip Phubodiwarochuphan, Khom’s sister, and Boonyasak Patarakosol, his chauffeur. Five monks who had been defrocked – Boonsong Panpuwong, Bundit Yoicha, Nathapat Tangjaisanong, Boonluea Phothong, and Thanakrit Yotsurin – were also implicated in the case.

 

The court’s investigation found that Khom had conspired with the defrocked monks to siphon off funds from the temple’s donations. He then deposited the stolen money into his bank account, from which only his sister had the authority to withdraw funds. She did this 76 times.

Khom instructed his sister to store a portion of the embezzled money at his residence, where police eventually confiscated 51.4 million baht (US$1.4 million). He also commanded his fellow former monks to conceal some assets outside the temple. All in all, law enforcement unearthed 1,455 items counting cash and assets worth 299.5 million baht (US$ 8.3 million).

The court pronounced Khom guilty on 78 charges, with each one carrying a jail term of six years. Hence, he received a cumulative sentence of 468 years. Wutthima was found guilty on 78 counts, amassing a total jail term of 312 years, while Juthathip was found guilty on 77 counts, resulting in a 308-year sentence, reported Bangkok Post.

 

It is important to note that according to Thai law, the maximum duration they can serve in prison is 50 years. The sentences of the other defendants were reduced from three to two years due to their cooperation in the case.

 

In related news, Police apprehended a 51 year old woman for her involvement in a multifaceted criminal enterprise that included document forgery, job application fraud, and a significant embezzlement scandal.

 

by Mitch Connor

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-21

 

- Discover how Cigna Insurance can protect you with a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment. For more information on expat health insurance click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe
 

[Woof999]

He should have pled guilty and only got 234 years.

[worgeordie]

Ordinary hard working people giving donations in good faith to the temple,

and it gets stolen , why do the temples need so much money ,i know they

are always building ,but there might be a reason for this if you think about it,

Thailand is a corrupt country and nothing or noone is out of its reach....

 

regards worgeordie

 

[stoner]

now he can become one with his jail cell. 

[transam]

At least in our hi-tech age, the populace will read what is going on behind their backs.......😱

[2baht]

He'll really notice some changes when he gets out! 

[quake]

Oh my Buddha.

What a carry on. 

You naughty Monk.

[ronster]

[Dolf]

3 hours ago, Woof999 said:

He should have pled guilty and only got 234 years.

50 is the maximum anyway.

[ronster]

Wonder how many people will see this as a good luck sign and rush out to buy 468 lottery number 😂

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The court’s investigation found that Khom had conspired with the defrocked monks to siphon off funds from the temple’s donations. He then deposited the stolen money into his bank account, from which only his sister had the authority to withdraw funds. She did this 76 times.

Khom instructed his sister to store a portion of the embezzled money at his residence, where police eventually confiscated 51.4 million baht (US$1.4 million). He also commanded his fellow former monks to conceal some assets outside the temple. All in all, law enforcement unearthed 1,455 items counting cash and assets worth 299.5 million baht (US$ 8.3 million)

The best ponzi scheme in Thailand.. and it's in plain sight.

[john donson]

when people got brainwashed since birth and by previous generations into hocus pocus believes...

[reefsurfah]

Reborn to serve the rest in 50 year sentences, karma is a bitch 🫵

[youreavinalaff]

1 hour ago, john donson said:

when people got brainwashed since birth and by previous generations into hocus pocus believes...

I wonder, can you prove that comment?

 

The " brainwashed" bit and the fact Buddism and it's teachings are "hocus pocus". 

 

It will be an interesting read. Thanks.

[Road Warrior]

6 hours ago, Woof999 said:

He should have pled guilty and only got 234 years.

may be if good boy will get 1/3 reduced with being good behavior ????   1/3rd  divide   234_ =  ONLY  77yrs off  to do .walk in the park no mean  in the prison 

[Dolf]

21 minutes ago, youreavinalaff said:

I wonder, can you prove that comment?

 

The " brainwashed" bit and the fact Buddism and it's teachings are "hocus pocus". 

 

It will be an interesting read. Thanks.

I agree with you for once. Buddhist teachings are good if you follow them.

[quake]

You don't need any religion or cult to be a good guy.

[rexpotter]

38 minutes ago, Dolf said:

I agree with you for once. Buddhist teachings are good if you follow them.

Dolf or whomever you are. I think everyone on the forum would appreciate if you would comment only on the subject matter. It is none of your personal business what someone says or thinks about a certain topic as long as it is not illegal. That is what makes forums interesting. When commenters are constantly attacked for their particular views it destroys any possible depth to a discussion. Thank You

[Dolf]

12 minutes ago, rexpotter said:

Dolf or whomever you are. I think everyone on the forum would appreciate if you would comment only on the subject matter. It is none of your personal business what someone says or thinks about a certain topic as long as it is not illegal. That is what makes forums interesting. When commenters are constantly attacked for their particular views it destroys any possible depth to a discussion. Thank You

 

I will comment on whatever I like thanks. Mind your own business.

[Dolf]

15 minutes ago, quake said:

You don't need any religion or cult to be a good guy.

Buddhism is 3000 years old. These days we can use common sense but the teachings helped a lot of people over the years.

[youreavinalaff]

20 minutes ago, rexpotter said:

Dolf or whomever you are. I think everyone on the forum would appreciate if you would comment only on the subject matter. It is none of your personal business what someone says or thinks about a certain topic as long as it is not illegal. That is what makes forums interesting. When commenters are constantly attacked for their particular views it destroys any possible depth to a discussion. Thank You

 

Says the poster making it their business.

 

This is an open forum. Anyone making a post understands people will have, and post, their opinions. Just as you have done.

[soalbundy]

He will no doubt be treated better than the average convict, especially if he has any of the proceeds hidden away and accessible.

[quake]

2 hours ago, Dolf said:

Buddhism is 3000 years old. These days we can use common sense but the teachings helped a lot of people over the years.

 

Yes, helped a lot of control over the years.

for cults and religions.

 

Just for a laugh, how much do you think the Buddha's teachings got distorted over the 500 or so years,  of it being handed down verbally ?

 

Ps I do find it funny how some posters try and control the table in threads, had one try and do that already today.

got to laugh.  

 

 

[Fortean1]

There is little to no control on who can become a monk.  There is little to no auditing of the temples.

My wife's home village is near Ayutthaya.  We've lived in Thailand since 2008.  The new village temple

now under construction for 15 years.  Gossip says the abbot has not one, but four mistresses.  I asked

one monk why so long in the construction.  He just smiled.  I see the abbot at the tamboon ceremonies

for my wife's mother.  He acts like a businessman.

[Khyron]

The last Monk I trusted was the Abbot in our local temple. He had been there for 45+ years. Super humble guy, went to other temples in different provinces to help out. Wasn't interested in fundraising, just good works. Died a few years ago and the place hasn't been the same since.

 

Several stories in the states of corruption by monks gone wild with donations.

 

What I tell my wife is, I don't trust a long time monk who looks well fed, fat. 

I don't get the shysters who have someone drive them around the country looking for "donations" for their temple from well off old ladies. Maybe I am missing something here?

[RocketDog]

On 3/21/2024 at 3:49 PM, youreavinalaff said:

I wonder, can you prove that comment?

 

The " brainwashed" bit and the fact Buddism and it's teachings are "hocus pocus". 

 

It will be an interesting read. Thanks.

Can you prove him wrong?

Didn't think so.

Religion: people get it or they don't.

More and more of the civilized world is getting it though as secularism rises.

[youreavinalaff]

16 minutes ago, RocketDog said:

Can you prove him wrong?

Didn't think so.

Religion: people get it or they don't.

More and more of the civilized world is getting it though as secularism rises.

Yes, I can prove him wrong.

 

I know for a fact that "people are brainwashed from birth" is not true.

 

Had the poster said "some" or "some groups", probably not.

 

There are many history books that show Buddism is not all "hocus pocus".

[RocketDog]

5 minutes ago, youreavinalaff said:

Yes, I can prove him wrong.

 

I know for a fact that "people are brainwashed from birth" is not true.

 

Had the poster said "some" or "some groups", probably not.

 

There are many history books that show Buddism is not all "hocus pocus".

Sorry.

Saying you "know for a fact" is not proof.

History books? Like the bible?

55555555 Thanks for the laff.

 

End of.

[proton]

On 3/21/2024 at 5:05 PM, Dolf said:

Buddhism is 3000 years old. These days we can use common sense but the teachings helped a lot of people over the years.

 

Its 2567 years old, since Buddha attained nirvana, this year.

[youreavinalaff]

43 minutes ago, RocketDog said:

Sorry.

Saying you "know for a fact" is not proof.

History books? Like the bible?

55555555 Thanks for the laff.

 

End of.

The Bible? I think you're getting mixed up.

 

This thread is about Buddhism.

 

Facts do prove non facts to be wrong.