Jatuporn's Residence: A Collector's Den

[webfact]

A collector's den

Kornchanok Raksaseri,

Atapoom Ongkulna,

Somroutai Sapsomboon

The Nation

Growing up as a temple boy, former MP Jatuporn Promphan did not own a famous amulet or sacred Buddha image. But after becoming a red-shirt leader, those highly sought-after items - in his own words - just came to him.

BANGKOK: -- The residence of red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan is a townhouse in Soi Watcharapol, in the Ram-Indra area. It can be distinguished from the others as the house is covered with big trees, which he said he had cranes lift and put them in the house compound. An aerial view of the house will show you only the trees and glimpses of a few closed-circuit cameras.

Opposite the house is also a townhouse with big trees. But this house is quite open as it is the place where Jatuporn welcomes his guests. He said the second townhouse does not belong to him. "If they didn't give it to me, I wouldn't have bought it," he said, without elaboration.

Decorating his house here and there are products made by the red shirts, especially from Chiang Mai's Ban Thawai. He is particularly proud of the bouquets made with Bt20 banknotes that the red shirts made for him while waiting to hear the bail order for this suspect, who is facing a terrorism charge.

On the second and the third floors of the Bt2.7-million worth townhouse that he has reported to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, Jatuporn keeps dozens of Buddha images, sculptures of Thai revered kings and respected monks as well as the clothes - red shirts - given to him by his admirers.

"It is strange. They just came to me. One time I thought before I went to bed that I'd like to have a sculpture of King Taksin the Great for me to worship. In no time, even before I woke up in the morning, someone called me and told me that he would give me this sculpture," he said. He now has such sculptures of King Taksin the Great in various postures, he claims.

Jatuporn also proudly said there were delicate ceremonies and mysterious stories behind the transportation of such sacred items. For example, a rare set of sculptures of six Great Kings of Thailand made in Nakhon Si Thammarat were meant to be given to some other person before, but the engines of the vehicles did not work so the set was safely transported to his house.

"And this is the house of the person accused of overthrowing the monarchy," he said, laughing. "I am sure I have more sculptures of Thai kings than the Army chief does."

Among the items produced or linked to revered monks, the most pieces he has are linked to Luang Pu Boon of Wat Klang Bang Kaew in Nakhon Pathom. "I've never been to the temple myself, but with the merit of kindness, [the items] were given to me more and more," he said, adding that Luang Pu Boon is a revered and sacred monk whose products are delicately beautiful.

The items include Luang Pu Boon's sculpture, moulds of garuda, the Maha-Brahma and the Siam Devadhiraj image.

Jatuporn also showed a sculpture of Phra Buddhacarya Toh Brahmasansi or Somdej Toh, revered abbot of Wat Rakang Kositaram, which he said he thought would be an amulet on learning that someone from the temple was giving him.

However, attached with his necklace is also an amulet made by Domdej Toh himself. "This is not recognised widely. But this is so cool, the combination of the five Bencha Pakhee in the same amulet and on the back of the amulet the Chinabanchara Ghata." He added that he also has many other amulets that would stun people. He declined to reveal them.

In Jatuporn's house are also ancient talismans, including knives more than a 100 years old as well as a nicely carved ivory staff made and with an incantation by Luang Pho Doem of Wat Nong Pho, Nakhon Sawan.

Jatuporn said he receives many amulets from red-shirt admirers. His colleague Natthawut Saikua, now the deputy agriculture and agricultural cooperatives minister, also receives his fair share.

People who study amulets and talismans as well as Buddhism sculptures may know how much these objects are worth. Nevertheless, Jatuporn, who did not report these items to the NCCC, said none of the items belongs to him.

"People gave them to me, so I accepted them for the purpose of worship. I don't own them. I don't know what I should own them for," he said.

See video at www.nationmultimedia.com

-- The Nation 2012-09-03

[FOODLOVER]

"It is strange. They just came to me. One time I thought before I went to bed that I'd like to have a sculpture of King Taksin the Great for me to worship. In no time, even before I woke up in the morning, someone called me and told me that he would give me this sculpture," he said. He now has such sculptures of King Taksin the Great in various postures, he claims.

"People gave them to me, so I accepted them for the purpose of worship. I don't own them. I don't know what I should own them for," he said.

"I've never been to the temple myself, but with the merit of kindness, [the items] were given to me more and more,"

He said the second townhouse does not belong to him. "If they didn't give it to me, I wouldn't have bought it," he said, without elaboration.

Jatuporn also proudly said there were delicate ceremonies and mysterious stories behind the transportation of such sacred items. For example, a rare set of sculptures of six Great Kings of Thailand made in Nakhon Si Thammarat were meant to be given to some other person before, but the engines of the vehicles did not work so the set was safely transported to his house.

"He added that he also has many other amulets that would stun people. He declined to reveal them".

"On the second and the third floors of the Bt2.7-million worth townhouse that he has reported to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, Jatuporn keeps dozens of Buddha images, sculptures of Thai revered kings and respected monks as well as the clothes - red shirts - given to him by his admirers".

Seems being red pays as thing just come to you and are never taxed even though they may be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Go big red! yay

[Thait Spot]

"It is strange. They just came to me. One time I thought before I went to bed that I'd like to have a sculpture of King Taksin the Great for me to worship. In no time, even before I woke up in the morning, someone called me and told me that he would give me this sculpture," he said. He now has such sculptures of King Taksin the Great in various postures, he claims.

"People gave them to me, so I accepted them for the purpose of worship. I don't own them. I don't know what I should own them for," he said.

"I've never been to the temple myself, but with the merit of kindness, [the items] were given to me more and more,"

He said the second townhouse does not belong to him. "If they didn't give it to me, I wouldn't have bought it," he said, without elaboration.

Jatuporn also proudly said there were delicate ceremonies and mysterious stories behind the transportation of such sacred items. For example, a rare set of sculptures of six Great Kings of Thailand made in Nakhon Si Thammarat were meant to be given to some other person before, but the engines of the vehicles did not work so the set was safely transported to his house.

"He added that he also has many other amulets that would stun people. He declined to reveal them".

"On the second and the third floors of the Bt2.7-million worth townhouse that he has reported to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, Jatuporn keeps dozens of Buddha images, sculptures of Thai revered kings and respected monks as well as the clothes - red shirts - given to him by his admirers".

Seems being red pays as thing just come to you and are never taxed even though they may be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Go big red! yay

Is this interview for real? What a shallow grip on reality.

He must have wished for a lot of food!

[GentlemanJim]

His bank account must be positively swelling, he doesn't seem to spend his money on anything, he just gets given everything, including what seems to be his favourite, sculptures of Great King Taksin.

A 3 floor 2.7 million worth townhouse! Blimey, you can't buy one of those where I live for less than 5 mil. His must be very small!

I wonder if he always qualifies for legal aid seeing as he doesn't own anything!

[Ricardo]

Hopefully this collection of amulets will prove a consolation, if MP Jatupon doesn't get the job in the Cabinet, which he wants ?

[Buchholz]

https://www.youtube....h?v=dcR1bbISgFw

click for VIDEO

Nice place. Seems a rather stark contrast to the squalor Jatuporn has allowed his 92 year-old mother to wallow in.

[otherstuff1957]

Here he is with his Taksin statue last year!

[SomTumTiger]

Makes a heart warm doesn't it?

[Ricardo]

Perhaps Jatuporn might donate these gifts to a museum, excepting the few gifts which have personal significance for him, or sell them to raise money for an appropriate charity, to help the poor ?

Edited September 3, 2012 by Ricardo

[thaicbr]

Perhaps Jatuporn might donate these gifts to a museum, excepting the few gifts which have personal significance for him, or sell them to raise money for an appropriate charity, to help the poor ?

\

hahahahahaha........ and i'm the pope... oh and a bear that shits in the woods... no a chance of HIM donating (after all they dont belong to him.. nor does the house across the road.. ha)

[saltandpepper]

Perhaps Jatuporn might donate these gifts to a museum, excepting the few gifts which have personal significance for him, or sell them to raise money for an appropriate charity, to help the poor ?

Come on.... The sole purpose of him fighting for the poor (tongue firmly in cheek) is to raise a lot of money, for himself. Charity has nothing to do with that. Poors are a tool, not a goal.

[Pimay1]

If things come to him when he thinks of them before he sleeps maybe he could think of K. Thaksin coming back to Thailand and when he woke up K. Thaksin would be here. What he says in this interview is about as believable as everything else he says which is unbelievable.

edit to correct spelling

Edited September 3, 2012 by Pimay1

[OzMick]

Just when you think your regard for a person has hit bed-rock, he comes out with a jack-hammer. I wonder if they will allow him to take his toys into the cell where hopefully he will spend much of his life.

Edited September 3, 2012 by OzMick

[Soutpeel]

You guys are so harsh, the poor lad is just misunderstood...

[bendejo]

When someone makes such a public display of devotion to religion it's a pretty good bet that he/she is a first-class slimeball (to put it nicely).

[Ricardo]

If things come to him when he thinks of them before he sleeps maybe he could think of K. Thaksin coming back to Thailand and when he woke up K. Thaksin would be here. What he says in this interview is about as believable as everything else he says which is unbelievable.

edit to correct spelling

It would however be very useful, if he were to become Finance Minister in the upcoming reshuffle. he could dream about the economic-figures which might be most helpful to the country, and then lo-and-behold the next morning ... hey presto !

[Pimay1]

If things come to him when he thinks of them before he sleeps maybe he could think of K. Thaksin coming back to Thailand and when he woke up K. Thaksin would be here. What he says in this interview is about as believable as everything else he says which is unbelievable.

edit to correct spelling

It would however be very useful, if he were to become Finance Minister in the upcoming reshuffle. he could dream about the economic-figures which might be most helpful to the country, and then lo-and-behold the next morning ... hey presto !

Good point. But he would have to tone down his lies on a scale of a million to one insuring they were only "little white lies".

[Bagwan]

Perhaps Jatuporn might donate these gifts to a museum, excepting the few gifts which have personal significance for him, or sell them to raise money for an appropriate charity, to help the poor ?

Perhaps you can persuade the leaders of the World's organised religions to do likewise. Most, like Jatuporn, have added to the miseries of the poor rather than alleviate them.

BTW are there any poor in Thailand now? I thought they would all be rich after all this time that has elapsed since the promise was made.

[Ricardo]

I've heard about one particular Messiah called the "Hero of the Grass-Roots", allegedly worshipped & missed by millions of followers, whose claimed personal-wealth has declined from a few Billion dollars a decade ago, to under-$1-million now. I think Jatupon is a follower ?

Best to maintain a healthy disbelief, about this as in many other 'miracles', until the supporting-evidence can be examined.

[animatic]

He can afford cranes to haul trees to the roof of his house and he is a collector of expensive stuff.

And sooooo... what about the poor he is supposed to represent. He is no dali lama for sure.

Just a nouveau riche HiSo flaunting his ill gotten wealth.

[Pimay1]

He can afford cranes to haul trees to the roof of his house and he is a collector of expensive stuff.

And sooooo... what about the poor he is supposed to represent. He is no dali lama for sure.

Just a nouveau riche HiSo flaunting his ill gotten wealth.

Spot on and what about his poor old mother?

[Skywalker69]

This guy makes me feel sick. Why is he still out?

[klauskunkel]

Jatuporn also proudly said there were delicate ceremonies and mysterious stories behind the transportation of such sacred items. For example, a rare set of sculptures of six Great Kings of Thailand made in Nakhon Si Thammarat were meant to be given to some other person before, but the engines of the vehicles did not work so the set was safely transported to his house.

...must have fallen off the truck

[bigbamboo]

Jatuporn also proudly said there were delicate ceremonies and mysterious stories behind the transportation of such sacred items. For example, a rare set of sculptures of six Great Kings of Thailand made in Nakhon Si Thammarat were meant to be given to some other person before, but the engines of the vehicles did not work so the set was safely transported to his house.

...must have fallen off the truck

Come on Yingluck, you can't seriously want this man anywhere near your government.

[rubl]

His bank account must be positively swelling, he doesn't seem to spend his money on anything, he just gets given everything, including what seems to be his favourite, sculptures of Great King Taksin.

A 3 floor 2.7 million worth townhouse! Blimey, you can't buy one of those where I live for less than 5 mil. His must be very small!

I wonder if he always qualifies for legal aid seeing as he doesn't own anything!

Why would his bank account swell? As far as I know he's no longer an MP and being a UDD leader (one of many) probably doesn't pay that much, them all being idealists and so. Virtually he's currently jobless. Feel sorry for him

Edited September 3, 2012 by rubl

[GarryP]

He can afford cranes to haul trees to the roof of his house and he is a collector of expensive stuff.

And sooooo... what about the poor he is supposed to represent. He is no dali lama for sure.

Just a nouveau riche HiSo flaunting his ill gotten wealth.

Spot on and what about his poor old mother?

I do not know his family history, but if he was a temple boy, it would be an indication of being dumped by parents who were incapable of raising him. If such were the case, just what does he owe his mother?

[indyuk]

Quite frankly this guy Jatuporn appears to have the MO of a Con Artist. 'God Forbid' that he would ever become an Member of Yingluck's Government

[rubl]

He can afford cranes to haul trees to the roof of his house and he is a collector of expensive stuff.

And sooooo... what about the poor he is supposed to represent. He is no dali lama for sure.

Just a nouveau riche HiSo flaunting his ill gotten wealth.

Spot on and what about his poor old mother?

I do not know his family history, but if he was a temple boy, it would be an indication of being dumped by parents who were incapable of raising him. If such were the case, just what does he owe his mother?

Maybe he owes her just the usual, his life ?

[hellodolly]

"It is strange. They just came to me. One time I thought before I went to bed that I'd like to have a sculpture of King Taksin the Great for me to worship. In no time, even before I woke up in the morning, someone called me and told me that he would give me this sculpture," he said. He now has such sculptures of King Taksin the Great in various postures, he claims.

"People gave them to me, so I accepted them for the purpose of worship. I don't own them. I don't know what I should own them for," he said.

"I've never been to the temple myself, but with the merit of kindness, [the items] were given to me more and more,"

He said the second townhouse does not belong to him. "If they didn't give it to me, I wouldn't have bought it," he said, without elaboration.

Jatuporn also proudly said there were delicate ceremonies and mysterious stories behind the transportation of such sacred items. For example, a rare set of sculptures of six Great Kings of Thailand made in Nakhon Si Thammarat were meant to be given to some other person before, but the engines of the vehicles did not work so the set was safely transported to his house.

"He added that he also has many other amulets that would stun people. He declined to reveal them".

"On the second and the third floors of the Bt2.7-million worth townhouse that he has reported to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, Jatuporn keeps dozens of Buddha images, sculptures of Thai revered kings and respected monks as well as the clothes - red shirts - given to him by his admirers".

Seems being red pays as thing just come to you and are never taxed even though they may be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Go big red! yay

Well He is truly a loose canon.

According to him if I was to remove all these objects he could not report a theft as they have no owners. And I wonder what he would say if squatters moved into the townhouse he dosen't own that he bought.

[GarryP]

He can afford cranes to haul trees to the roof of his house and he is a collector of expensive stuff.

And sooooo... what about the poor he is supposed to represent. He is no dali lama for sure.

Just a nouveau riche HiSo flaunting his ill gotten wealth.

Spot on and what about his poor old mother?

I do not know his family history, but if he was a temple boy, it would be an indication of being dumped by parents who were incapable of raising him. If such were the case, just what does he owe his mother?

Maybe he owes her just the usual, his life ?

You think so? If he was dumped, I believe he owes her diddley squat.