DSI eyes arrest of ex-monk

[Lite Beer]

DSI eyes arrest of ex-monk
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai,
Pakamas Jaichalard
The Nation on Sunday

Luang Pu Nenkham

BANGKOK: -- Si Sa Ket monastic authorities say 'Luang Pu Nenkham' defrocked

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will today consider whether to seek a warrant for the arrest of the jet-setting former monk known as Luang Pu Nenkham for alleged statutory rape and money laundering.

A warrant could lead to the extradition of the monk - also known as Phra Wirapol Sukpol - who is believed to be living in the United States and has refused to return to Thailand as long as there is "no justice" for him.

The DSI move came after Si Sa Ket's monastic authorities yesterday announced that Luang Pu Nenkham was no longer a monk.

A monastic disciplinary-probe team met at Wat Pa Sri Samran in the province yesterday. After the meeting, the Si Sa Ket monastic chief's secretary Phra Khru Wacharasitthikhun said the team considered information from the DSI and the Office of National Buddhism, as well as the case of a woman who had revealed an alleged sexual relationship with Luang Pu Nenkham. It was agreed at the meeting that he would be expelled from the monkhood. Phra Khru Wacharasitthikhun said the officials could proceed with legal action against the monk.

DSI chief Tarit Pengdith said the agency was considering seeking an arrest warrant for statutory rape, as the woman who claimed to have had a sexual relationship with Luang Pu Nenkham from the time she was 14 until they had a child together would officially file a compliant with the DSI.

Retrieval of allegedly embezzled assets could be a lengthy task because many had been moved, Tarit said. But he said the department would try to retrieve as many as possible.

Tarit said the DSI would also contact related agencies regarding procedures to extradite the monk back to Thailand, pointing out that other countries gave importance to child-molestation and money-laundering cases.

Pol Lt-Colonel Korrawat Panprapakorn, director of the DSI's Bureau of Regional Operations Centre, said investigators tracing the monk's car purchases suspected he had bought at least 100 vehicles. The DSI would try to retrieve them all and summon those involved in the purchases to give information.

DSI Security Crime Bureau chief Pong-in Intarakhao said at least three senior monks had contacted the DSI to return cars given to them by the former monk as they felt uneasy about them.

DNA test

In regard to the DNA test on the boy said to be the monk's son, Central Institute of Forensic Science chief Anek Yomjinda said the institute was still waiting for DNA samples from the monk to compare with samples taken from the boy and his mother. Anek said the lab couldn't use DNA samples of the monk's half-brother because the two men had a different father.

Early yesterday, National Buddhism chief Nopparat Benjawatananun said the office would tomorrow report to acting Dhammayut order head Somdej Phra Wannarat on a decision by the Ubon Ratchathani monastic chief and Wat Tai Phrachao Yai Ong Teu abbot to expel Luang Pu Nenkham from the temple's supervision.

Nopparat also said the Centre for Monks and Novices' Foreign Travel Control would urge the Foreign Ministry to revoke the ex-monk's passport on the same day.

Nopparat said he had ordered National Buddhism provincial branches to check if more than 10 branches of Luang Pu Nenkham's "Wat Pa Khanti Dhamma" were legally established or had engaged in illegitimate transactions.

In related news, Fine Arts Office 11 Ubon Ratchathani chief Khajorn Mukmeekha said the results of checks into the materials used in the monk's construction of an Emerald Buddha image replica project would come out in one week. He also submitted a report of the office's findings to Fine Arts Department chief Sahawat Naenna stating that at least eight Emerald Buddha image replicas of three sizes were to be made and reportedly displayed with alms bowls to collect donations.

-- The Nation 2013-07-14

[NongKhaiKid]

So it's " eyeing ' now, a few days ago they were " probing ", faculties of journalism really need to teach a new set of vocabulary.

Anyway the DSI can't arrest him only have him arrested as he's not here.

It's nice 3 monks will return the cars he gave them as they are uneasy, funny thing though they didn't seem to have any qualms about accepting them

[tominbkk]

A Sangha that is truly rotten to the core. Buddha would be laughing and weeping at the same time if he saw the atrocities they do in his name.

[chooka]

So they had to wait until he was expelled from the monkhood before they could proceed with legal action. Why, is it some sort of bad karma to go after a serving monk? A criminal is a criminal regardless of their occupation. He is just a guy pretending to have an imaginary friend.

There must be a few U.S citizens in Thai prisons that they can exchange for him or maybe the U.S will want to put this monk on trial themselves.

[Soutpeel]

So they had to wait until he was expelled from the monkhood before they could proceed with legal action. Why, is it some sort of bad karma to go after a serving monk? A criminal is a criminal regardless of their occupation. He is just a guy pretending to have an imaginary friend.

There must be a few U.S citizens in Thai prisons that they can exchange for him or maybe the U.S will want to put this monk on trial themselves.

more importantly..if they manage to get this guy extradited back to Thailand, maybe they should use the same process to get another wanted criminal back to Thailand...and I will give the DSI a hint....he lives in Dubai...

[chooka]

So they had to wait until he was expelled from the monkhood before they could proceed with legal action. Why, is it some sort of bad karma to go after a serving monk? A criminal is a criminal regardless of their occupation. He is just a guy pretending to have an imaginary friend.

There must be a few U.S citizens in Thai prisons that they can exchange for him or maybe the U.S will want to put this monk on trial themselves.

more importantly..if they manage to get this guy extradited back to Thailand, maybe they should use the same process to get another wanted criminal back to Thailand...and I will give the DSI a hint....he lives in Dubai...

Didn't they ask "Him" if he was Dubai and he said no he was out on a shopping trip and he will call them when he gets home?

[NeverSure]

I wonder how, if true, he manages to "live" in the US?

And yes, the US has long had an extradition treaty with Thailand. Link

[ezzra]

This man is nothing more than a front for money laundering scam, clear and simple,

billions of baht have been channeled through him and his "foundations" entities

in an apparent recycling ill gotten funds, and the sooner the DSI will investigate

where all the proceeds, such cars, properties and cash, all traceable, have gone to,

the sooner this matter will be put to rest for what it's really is, a criminal activities.

All remain to see is whether the DSI will dare to fully expose the people involved,

as obviously it seems, high ranking Pu yai, of all walks of the Thai society are deeply

up to their collective necks in this quagmire.

[Payboy]

A Sangha that is truly rotten to the core. Buddha would be laughing and weeping at the same time if he saw the atrocities they do in his name.

China already has a laughing Buddha, about time the Thai version got that makeover.

[lemonjelly]

One may find it hard to believe that authoroties such as the DSI and the Office of National Buddhism (?) knew nothing of this scandal before the Youtube clip that created such uproar was released.

[Thai at Heart]

How many more do the exact same thing, maybe not to the same scale but corrupt nonetheless.

[WhizBang]

A warrant could lead to the extradition of the monk - also known as Phra Wirapol Sukpol - who is believed to be living in the United States and has refused to return to Thailand as long as there is "no justice" for him.

Same old song, 'no justice', 'it's politically motivated', etc., just now we have a different singer.

[Songhua]

How many more do the exact same thing, maybe not to the same scale but corrupt nonetheless.

One has to ask where the other three mentioned thought the cars came from. And how many others are there?

[slapout]

The DSI has a standard excuse on all investigations, it sees as involving those above the DSI station," Its a complicated case".

This case, if gone after legally, may involve the AMLO, which is certain to involve a real complicated trail of bank transactions, dispursing cash on the local level, commission payments, etc.

It is amazing what the public, and the internet have been able to stir up in the past few months. The commiunication system that made the PM's family wealthly, has expanded and may end up being what will bring them down.

[trainman34014]

How many more do the exact same thing, maybe not to the same scale but corrupt nonetheless.

Relative in Wife's family is a Monk, a very young one, just 14. You'd be amazed how much money he comes and gives his Mother every month, many thousands of Baht on a monthly basis. He gets it given to him by village people who 'admire' his work and 'believe'. He goes to his boss Monk to hand in the dosh but he is told 'We have enough; you can gift some to your family'. The whole apparatus is just a money collecting scam for those daft enough to believe it is something more and who just keep giving.

At the end of the day people will believe in what they want to believe in and the worms in society will always take advantage of that. The Guy in the frame at the moment just happens to be the one on top of a stinking pile of manure filled with such worms.

[GentlemanJim]

Well it's good of the DSI to issue a press release saying they may now arrest him and charge him with statutory rape. I am sure with that news he will be rushing back to Thailand

[Thai at Heart]

Well it's good of the DSI to issue a press release saying they may now arrest him and charge him with statutory rape. I am sure with that news he will be rushing back to Thailand

Not sure any European country will want to hang onto an accused rapist.

[Pib]

I'm sure DSI will put a great amount of "media" effort to fool everyone into thinking they are going to get this guy back to Thailand and prosecute him; but in real life I seriously doubt the DSI will put much real formal effort with other countries towards arresting/extraditing him. Seems like, regardless of what crime a person commits, just escape the borders of the little Thailand universe then you are relatively safe from the very short arm of Thai law.

[spacemand]

Social Media

Be carefull what you post nothing is private and it will be there forever and it brought this guy down.

[aguy30]

The Thai community in Dubai will probably welcome him to join.

[arthurboy]

'consider'?

Yep, please do.

Edited July 14, 2013 by arthurboy

[julemanden]

How many more do the exact same thing, maybe not to the same scale but corrupt nonetheless.

Easy to answer.... MANY !!!

[hellodolly]

He will end up living in Dubai trading scam secrets with another self exiled Thai.

Perhaps buy a citizenship in another country.

I wonder if the Thai government will invalidate his passport. Not that it is important his new neighbor in Dubai will advise him on how to receive several other ones.

If he is in the States it is probably just long enough to transfer his bank accounts to off shore banks.

[hellodolly]

How many more do the exact same thing, maybe not to the same scale but corrupt nonetheless.

Easy to answer.... MANY !!!

Also they come from all walks of life. In all countries in the world.

[requiredinfo]

thais believe that nowhere else on the planet is anywhere as good as his majesty's thailand so not being in thailand is equivalent to being in jail. no further action required. could be right too just ask all the farang who prefer to live here when they can afford to do so,

Edited July 14, 2013 by requiredinfo

[Sydebolle]

Well, Buddhist lent is coming up in a week and - as everybody will be stone sober with compliments of the government (wonder if Chalerm is on French or Italian grapes) - the Sankha can forgive and forget. What a splendid example for other (novices) to follow suit. Be crooked and you get to fly in private jets, roam in luxury cars and everyone is on their knees to listen to the karma advice coming from such a fake clown. Too many clowns = not enough circuses! How pathetic!

Edited July 14, 2013 by Scott
Thai script edited out

[Just1Voice]

If DSI actually formally charges this slime ball with statutatory rape, and askes the US to arrest and deport him, know how the US is a sticker on that particular law, I would be willing to bet they arrest him quick, fast, and in a hurry. However, the extradition could take quite a while, as he does have the legal right to fight it, and even appeal a decision, which could last for years. The other charges, such as money laundering, etc., are basically "run of the mill" crimes, but the US does take a very serious and very dim view on anthing evens lightly connected with statutory rape.

[Maggusoil]

I feel a book coming on

The Life and Times of a High Rolling Monk

[salapau]

So get a grip Thai police and finally show your nation that justice can be metered out to a criminal. Such a sham that no action was spoken about until he was denounced from being a monk, what's so special about them they can be as corrupt and heartless as others. In this day and age his fortunes can be traced, but where will they go into another black hole. Use it charitably and help those in need not just in Thailand but as the rest of the world manages in other countries.

[klauskunkel]

This man is nothing more than a front for money laundering scam, clear and simple,

billions of baht have been channeled through him and his "foundations" entities

in an apparent recycling ill gotten funds, and the sooner the DSI will investigate

where all the proceeds, such cars, properties and cash, all traceable, have gone to,

the sooner this matter will be put to rest for what it's really is, a criminal activities.

All remain to see is whether the DSI will dare to fully expose the people involved,

as obviously it seems, high ranking Pu yai, of all walks of the Thai society are deeply

up to their collective necks in this quagmire.

I agree, furthermore, if the dude is coming back to Thailand he will be killed