Thai monk had 10 bank accounts with daily transactions of Bt2m

[webfact]

SANGHA
Monk had 10 bank accounts with daily transactions of Bt2m
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) has found 10 bank accounts under the name of Luang Pu Nenkham, who calls himself the abbot of Si Sa Ket's "Wat Pa Khanti Dhamma" monastery, as well as records of transactions totalling up to Bt20 million per day.

Suwanee Sawaengpol, AMLO deputy chief, yesterday pointed out that these bank accounts were being monitored for fraud and hence, any further transactions could result in the monk facing money-laundering charges.

Suwanee said investigation showed that more than Bt2 million moved from each of the accounts every day and, under law, the bank was required to notify AMLO of these transactions.

The agency is confident that it has enough evidence against the monk and his network of disciples and that they can be prosecuted under charges of violating the law and public fraud, she said.

AMLO officials will visit the monastery next week to gather witnesses and the agency will also seek approval for full asset investigation against the monk and his network from the Transaction Committee on July 17, she added.

Meanwhile Ubon Ratchathani's Wat Tai Phrachaoyai Ong Teu abbot Phra Rajathamkosol said the temple where Luang Pu Nenkham or Phra Weerapol Sukpol was ordained had set up a panel to look into the monk's activities and if he is found guilty of abusing his vows, he will be expelled.

In related news, the Si Sa Ket Buddhism Office reported that a fact-finding panel was set up to look into all allegations, including the monk's penchant for luxurious products and women, donations, building a Buddha image replica without permission as well as illegally building a monastery and its branches.

The committee had initially agreed to set up a disciplinary probe in which the monk, who still living abroad, would be required to testify in person.


-- The Nation 2013-07-03

[NongKhaiKid]

It's a sad day when a monk who has taken all sorts of vows can't accept generous gifts from devotees who are assured of a better life in the hereafter.

[chooka]

20 million per day geez where can I sign up? There is good money in begging alms.

[up-country_sinclair]

He seems to have spent a fair amount of that 20 million on lipstick.

[chooka]

It's a sad day when a monk who has taken all sorts of vows can't accept generous gifts from devotees who are assured of a better life in the hereafter.

Must be expensive in the hereafter are they only accepting quality immigrants?

[NongKhaiKid]

It's a sad day when a monk who has taken all sorts of vows can't accept generous gifts from devotees who are assured of a better life in the hereafter.

Must be expensive in the hereafter are they only accepting quality immigrants?

I know where I'll end up so I'm getting mearured for my heat resistant suit

[Thai at Heart]

This is funny.

They want to get off the international banks money laundering list, and the first people they catch are a couple odd car importers and a monk.

[moe666]

Nothing like money and religion.

[jaltsc]

His idea of Nirvana is playing golf with Donald Trump and then returning to his 50 meter yacht for champagne and caviar. The only worldly thing he has truly renounced is poverty.

[bigbamboo]

Was it the Abbey National?

[chrisinth]

He seems to have spent a fair amount of that 20 million on lipstick.

Still, considering the money transfers, no wonder he is smiling, enhancing said lipstick................

[OzMick]

"Money does not buy happiness. I now have B300 million, and I'm no happier than when I had B200 million." (apologies to Arnie)

[noitom]

The headline says 2M per day and the sub head says 20M. Nice editing.

[eezergood]

Amazing

[noitom]

This is funny.

They want to get off the international banks money laundering list, and the first people they catch are a couple odd car importers and a monk.

Yes! And of course, no bankers will be charged, even investigated.

[IBoldnewguy]

It's a sad day when a monk who has taken all sorts of vows can't accept generous gifts from devotees who are assured of a better life in the hereafter.

Monk takes gifts devotees now poor Monk lives better life hereafter. Who is the fool? Not the Monk.

Edited July 3, 2013 by IBoldnewguy

[Thai at Heart]

This is funny.

They want to get off the international banks money laundering list, and the first people they catch are a couple odd car importers and a monk.

Yes! And of course, no bankers will be charged, even investigated.

And as yet, no proof, he has done anything illegal except accepting peoples money.

[OzMick]

The headline says 2M per day and the sub head says 20M. Nice editing.

B2 million per day per account = B20 million.

[Swiss1960]

AMLO officials will visit the monastery next week to gather witnesses and the agency will also seek approval for full asset investigation against the monk and his network from the Transaction Committee on July 17, she added

Interesting... giving a fair warning time for covering up his tracks and moving the assets some place else before the "full asset investigation" will start...

[Payboy]

Are those ivory tusks in the background?

[Tatsujin]

Speechless . . . and they worry about the foreigners giving Thailand a bad name . . . what a joke.

[IBoldnewguy]

"Money does not buy happiness. I now have B300 million, and I'm no happier than when I had B200 million." (apologies to Arnie)

I understand your pain and would be glad to take it off your conscience. Signed: The Monk

[clockman]

Thailand, just smoke and mirrors! greed and corruption!

[Dararasmi]

Wat Alat Amunnee

[chooka]

"if he is found guilty of abusing his vows, he will be expelled".

Then the poor bugger will have to live out his life in his mansion on the French Riviera. life looks grim for him.

[rijb]

Let this be a warning to other monks who are doing the same - hire a good business manager.

[asdecas]

More monk-ey business. No wonder he has that smile on his face - and it's not even beatific, purely mercenary.

[Farangdam]

dont think he is the only one...

[mrtoad]

Will he be using SKYPE to communicate with his disciples from a far off land, like other corrupt criminals?

[sirfin]

The headline says 2M per day and the sub head says 20M. Nice editing.

The headline says 2M per day and the sub head says 20M. Nice editing.

B2 million per day per account = B20 million.

That's 2Mil a day from each of 10 banks... MMM? That's 20 mil dude.....