Senior Thai monks want more proof before taking action

[webfact]

LUANG PU NENKHAM
Senior monks want more proof before taking action
Pongpat Traipipat,
Chanikarn Phumhirun
The Nation

Jet-setter still safe despite DSI investigative report accusing him of fathering child with minor

BANGKOK: -- Senior monks have decided not to terminate Luang Pu Nenkham's status as a Buddhist monk until additional evidence is provided.

Luang Pu Nenkham is accused of having a sexual relationship with a minor and fathering a child. If this can be proved, he will be forced to give up his saffron robes and face legal action because the girl was only 15 at the time of the alleged relationship.

Senior monks in Si Sa Ket yesterday convened a meeting to discuss the evidence gathered by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

The DSI submitted its report to the Si Sa Ket monastic chief on Sunday because Wat Pa Khanti Dhamma, where Luang Pu Nenkham serves as an abbot, is located in that province.

Phra Khru Watcharasittikhun, secretary to the Si Sa Ket monastic chief, said yesterday that the senior monks had looked into the report and have decided to wait for more evidence before making any decisions.

"We will request more information from the DSI," he said.

Weera Daosee, an academic at the Si Sa Ket Buddhism Office, suggested that it would take DNA results or the monk's confession to warrant the termination of Luang Pu Nenkham's monkhood.

According to Weera, the monk has yet to be proven guilty.

Luang Pu Nenkham has been at the centre of much negative publicity after a video clip of him enjoying a ride on a private jet and carrying a luxury bag, caught the media spotlight.

Several people have since come forward to file allegations against him, though he has yet to show up or respond.

DSI senior official Pol Lt-Colonel Pong-in Intarakhao said yesterday that there was enough evidence to prove that Luang Pu Nenkham had been sexually involved with a 15-year-old girl.

"We will forward our investigation to the local police so they can take further action," he said.

He added that DSI officials would also arrange DNA tests for the girl who said she was sexually involved with Luang Pu Nenkham, and for her son.

"We will also look into his financial status and transactions," Pong-in said, adding that it is believed the monk was engaged in shady businesses given that he seems to own several luxury vehicles.

Pong-in said the DSI would also summon the pilot who provided some hints about the monk's suspicious behaviour, such as carrying huge sums of foreign currency.

"The DSI will work with relevant authorities in solving this case," he said.

Meanwhile, the Bangkok Election Commission has recommended that the Election Commission ask the Bangkok city clerk to consider taking action against Sukhum Wongprasit, one of Luang Pu Nenkham's followers. Sukhum may be charged with perjury and deceiving voters by claiming that he was a PhD holder during his gubernatorial campaign.

The Education Ministry has never certified the World Peace University, which granted him the honorary doctorate.


-- The Nation 2013-07-09

[notmyself]

Given the various claims by government members, claiming a PHD is small fry.

[kurnell]

Perhaps if he strangled Yingluck live on national TV??

[Thai at Heart]

Since this went on under their noses in sisaket, are they really the most impartial judges?

[Payboy]

He added that DSI officials would also arrange DNA tests for the girl who said she was sexually involved with Luang Pu Nenkham, and for her son.

Testing her sons DNA I can understand, but the testing the girl will reveal what exactly?

[NongKhaiKid]

He's part of a national institution, circle the wagons.

[Songhua]

These things take time. Particularly when the implications are that there will be others whose ar$es need to be covered first .... then, once all that's been finalized and sorted, shaft him.

[Thai at Heart]

These things take time. Particularly when the implications are that there will be others whose ar$es need to be covered first .... then, once all that's been finalized and sorted, shaft him.

If you know anything about corruption in Thailand, it is normally facilitated by sharing some of the cash up and down the food chain.

Edited July 9, 2013 by Thai at Heart

[Thai at Heart]

On the news now, it claims that he was renting helicopters from Bangkok hospital to fly to Bangkok and then staying in the hospital in the VIP rooms.

It shows various cars being blessed on of which was a maybach......

It continues that allegedly he ran someone over in his Volvo, and paid 20k hush money to make the problem go away. All very yuck

[arthurboy]

These things take time. Particularly when the implications are that there will be others whose ar$es need to be covered first .... then, once all that's been finalized and sorted, shaft him.

Yes, then there's the small question of rearranging the 'assets' trough.

So many expensive cars, bank accounts, luxury goods etc. to deal with.

So little time...

[clockman]

He would be useful, to certain people. Either for money laundering or moving drugs around! Smoke and mirrors, always the same in Thailand!

[nachiket]

According to Weera, the monk has yet to be proven guilty.

Nobody can prove he is guilty.

As, if he can hire a private jet, so can evidence(s).

[adrock212]

He added that DSI officials would also arrange DNA tests for the girl who said she was sexually involved with Luang Pu Nenkham, and for her son.

Testing her sons DNA I can understand, but the testing the girl will reveal what exactly?

I would imagine it is to prove the boy is actually her son and leave no doubt that Nenkham had sex with a minor

[GeorgeO]

He's part of a national institution, circle the wagons.

This is strangely analogous to the response of the Catholic Church to wrongdoings by its priests...!

[Stokakrishna]

Thai monks are as corrupted as the Thai politicians.

It is even worse because they should show the "path"

[geriatrickid]

The denial and obfuscation reminds me of another religious hierarchy that did its utmost to cover up child abuse and to shield the abusers.

Like that religious group, these holy rollers are going to get their due the longer they refuse to take action.

[NongKhaiKid]

Thai monks are as corrupted as the Thai politicians.

It is even worse because they should show the "path"

The path to righteousness or riches ? This is Thailand.

[NongKhaiKid]

He added that DSI officials would also arrange DNA tests for the girl who said she was sexually involved with Luang Pu Nenkham, and for her son.

Testing her sons DNA I can understand, but the testing the girl will reveal what exactly?

I would imagine it is to prove the boy is actually her son and leave no doubt that Nenkham had sex with a minor

Arthur Scargill ?

[smutcakes]

This can very easily be translated into "we are all in it up to our eyeballs and we don't want the stack of cards collapsing"

[Bagwan]

He added that DSI officials would also arrange DNA tests for the girl who said she was sexually involved with Luang Pu Nenkham, and for her son.

Testing her sons DNA I can understand, but the testing the girl will reveal what exactly?

Whether the girl is really the mother? The possibility that this is a set up has to be eliminated.

The monk is based in Si Sa Ket and owns several luxury vehicles. And Si Sa Ket is in the headlines over what? Flying a kite I know, but .................

[jbrain]

The denial process has started.

[jpduggan]

I think the pilot's just been landed in the sh..e.

[petertucker48]

Just check the DNA of the young child alleged to be the result of under age sex and is now 11 years old.

Not difficult.

[lee b]

OMG !

[belg]

just take his 40 bank accounts and see how much longer the billionaire monk will remain overthere

[SOTIRIOS]

....this is beyond reality......

...all assets should have been seized by now....and traced....

...the banks know whose name the accounts are in...so they are accomplices as well.....

...this corruption and hypocrisy is sickening......

[robblok]

....this is beyond reality......

...all assets should have been seized by now....and traced....

...the banks know whose name the accounts are in...so they are accomplices as well.....

...this corruption and hypocrisy is sickening......

I doubt they can seize his assets to be honest. Everything is freely given.

[bigbamboo]

So now we can add monks to the long list of 'those who can't be trusted in Thailand' alongside politicians, police, jet ski operators, tuk tuk drivers, customs officers, the wife's relatives, ex pats.....

[newermonkey]

Thai monks are as corrupted as the Thai politicians.

It is even worse because they should show the "path"

Yes he IS showing the "path" the path most Thais desire.

[clockman]

According to my Thai wife. He was moving gold. For police, military and business people. They choose him, because he was not well known. Always in Thailand hidden agendas!