Former Thai Buddhism Chief Arrested in Texas Hospital Over Temple Fund Corruption Scandal

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

In a dramatic development, former Director of Thailand’s National Office of Buddhism, Nopparat Benjawatananun, was arrested by US Marshals inside a hospital in Texas on 11 April. The arrest was made under a provisional warrant issued in connection with his involvement in a major corruption scandal involving misappropriated funds allocated for temple renovations and development projects, commonly referred to in Thailand as the “temple fund kickback” or “Wat-gate” scandal.

 

Mr Nopparat had fled Thailand over eight years ago, reportedly settling in the United States before formal charges were filed. According to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), he amassed unlawful wealth amounting to over 500 million baht, stemming from fraudulent dealings related to the state-sponsored temple restoration subsidy programme.

 

The Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) had already issued at least four asset seizure orders against Mr Nopparat and his associates, including fellow former Buddhism Office Director Panom Sornsilp. The seized assets have been valued at approximately 94.2 million baht.

 

Authorities say Mr Nopparat lived comfortably in the US during his years on the run. His arrest marks a significant step forward in ongoing efforts to bring fugitive officials to justice. Thai prosecutors, working in coordination with the Office of the Attorney General and US authorities, have formally requested his extradition to face trial in Thailand.

 

Pol Lt Gen Jaroonkiat Parnkaew, Deputy Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, along with Pol Maj Gen Prasong Chalermpan, Commander of the Anti-Corruption Police Division, confirmed the arrest and stated that Mr Nopparat is expected to appear before a Texas court as part of extradition proceedings.

 

Mr Nopparat is also facing multiple other criminal investigations, with dozens of case files still pending. The NACC confirmed that 36 of 47 total corruption cases related to the temple fund scandal remain under active investigation. Other high-profile suspects named in related cases include former deputy director Pranom Khongpikul and several senior monks.

 

The extradition process is expected to take some time due to the legal procedures involved, but Thai authorities remain committed to seeing Mr Nopparat returned to stand trial.

 

-- 2025-04-14

 

[flyingtlger]

47 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

Mr Nopparat had fled Thailand over eight years ago, reportedly settling in the United States....

[ikke1959]

Interpol is working... why is the Red Bull heir still on the run??

[impulse]

6 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Authorities say Mr Nopparat lived comfortably in the US during his years on the run.

 

I could scrape by on 500 million baht.

 

[Gottfrid]

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

Interpol is working... why is the Red Bull heir still on the run??

Who told you, the you can´t bribe Interpol? 

[watchcat]

7 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Thai authorities remain committed to seeing Mr Nopparat returned to stand trial.

 

It works for  some people not for all,  Tony was a fine example of this.

[Dan Talus]

Indeed, living comfortably. After a cursory Google search I found he resides in this palatial home in Frisco, Texas

(he doesn't appear to own this home, it's owned by Elandel Domain Corporation, owner  Xin Lee, can search here  https://taxpublic.collincountytx.gov/Search)

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/9610-Shirland-Ln-Frisco-TX-75035/53103365_zpid/

 

 

His previous address was here (2012-2019, right after he fled Thailand I believe)

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4313-Kestrel-Way-Carrollton-TX-75010/89516457_zpid/

 

Also, It appears  a Cindy Benjawatananun (daughter undoubtably) in the same towns owns this (~1.3m USD!) : 

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/8514-Happy-Hollow-Dr-Frisco-TX-75034/242109233_zpid/

Yeah I know, I have too much time on my hands today 🙂

 

[watchcat]

13 minutes ago, Dan Talus said:

he doesn't appear to own this home, it's owned by Elandel Domain Corporation, owner  Xin Lee,

 

Another Chinaman.

[Thechook]

2 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Interpol is working... why is the Red Bull heir still on the run??

I don't think he is as the statute of limitations has expired.

[sqwakvfr]

Of course he can play "the victim" card and declare it would be inhumane to deport or extradite him back to LOS. 

[John Drake]

43 minutes ago, Dan Talus said:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4313-Kestrel-Way-Carrollton-TX-75010/89516457_zpid/

 

Just a couple of miles north of where I used to live, although I didn't recognize any of the street names around there. I do know I'd rather be here in the western suburbs of Bangkok than there.

[PETERTHEEATER]

4 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Interpol is working... why is the Red Bull heir still on the run??

Er.......covered by the same statement:

 

'The extradition process is expected to take some time due to the legal procedures involved'😀