Thailand's DSI will ask US to cancel scandal-plagued ex-monk's visa

[webfact]

DSI will ask US to cancel scandal-plagued ex-monk's visa
Kesinee Taengkhieo,
Chuleeporn Aramnet
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will directly ask US authorities to cancel the visa for the notorious Luang Pu Nenkham, who officially lost his status as a monk on Saturday. Luang Pu Nenkham is believed to be in the United States.

The DSI is investigating his many alleged wrongdoings, including statutory rape of a minor and public fraud.

DSI chief Tarit Pengdith yesterday said his agency was coordinating with various authorities in a bid to bring the former monk to justice.

At 10am today, DSI investigators will convene a meeting to prepare for the issuance of an arrest warrant for Luang Pu Nenkham.

The Office of National Buddhism has asked the centre controlling the overseas travel of monks and novice monks to consider cancelling Luang Pu Nenkham's passport. The centre is due to look into the case today.

Phra Prommawethi, who chairs the centre's board, said yesterday his centre would only be able to offer an opinion on the case, as the mandate to revoke a passport lay with the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

"After we form the opinion, we will submit it to the Office of National Buddhism. Then, the office should be able to raise the issue with the ministry and see what can be done," the senior monk said.

Phra Prommawethi is the abbot of Wat Traimitr Withayaram and a member of the Supreme Sangha Council.

In the wake of the scandal, Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University president Prachoom Pongpan said the university's council would consider revoking the honorary doctorate it had earlier approved for Luang Pu Nenkham.

"The council will convene a meeting to discuss and decide on the issue on July 26." He said the council conferred the degree on the then famous monk in 2010.


-- The Nation 2013-07-15

[webfact]

Police Seeking To Revoke US Visa Of Controversial Ex-Monk


Luang Pu Nen Kham, or Mr. Wirapol Sukhpol

BANGKOK: -- Police are attempting to have the US authorities cancel the US visa held by Luang Pu Nen Kham, the controversial monk who made the headlines around the world with his Louis Vuitton bags and private jet ride, and return him to Thailand to face numerous criminal allegations - following the national Buddhist authority′s decision to expel him from monkhood.

The monk has been abroad since the scandal about him surfaced. He is said to have flown from France to the US few weeks ago, where he reportedly has a number of residences.

Nen Kham, whose real name is Mr. Wirapol Sukhpol, is accused of money laundering and embezzling donation money after he was exposed to own, with his followers, more than 200 million baht in bank accounts, while TV reports recently showed his luxurious mansion with fleets of luxurious sports cars.

Additionally, he is alleged to have sexual relationship with a woman, who was reportedly underage at the time and later bore a child with him.

The religious authorities have previously announced that his monastery in Si Saket province, Wat Pha Kantidhamma, is not properly registered as a temple. They have previously demanded that Nen Kham return to Thailand and explain himself to the investigation committee. That never happened.

After the deadline on Friday has passed, a number of high-ranking monks of a provincial Buddhist chapter has conferred and reached the conclusion that

The notice of his defrocking will be submitted to the Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand , National Office of Buddhism (ONAB), and the temples in Thailand and all over the world.

Director of Office of National Buddhism, Mr. Nopparat Benjawatthananand, said the decision has paved way for the authorities to withdraw the passport held by Nen Kham, now officially known as Mr. Wirapol.

Mr. Tharit Pengdit, Director-General of The Department of Special Investigation (DSI), confirmed that the DSI is attempting to revoke Mr. Wirapol′s passport, while Pol.Col.Songsak Raksaksakul, Director Bureau of Foreign Affairs and Transnational Crime, said that the police are collaborating with the US Embassy in Thailand to have Mr. Wirapol′s visa revoked as well.

Full story: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNM016Y3lNek14TVE9PQ==

-- KHAOSOD English 2013-07-15

[Unkomonsense]

Isn't diplomacy just darling? I'm sure everyone on the US side is just itching to cooperate with Thailand's eminently just missives.

[Bellweather]

A lot of agencies are getting involved in this when it may not be necessary and " too many cooks " although this may be what's intended as if the complete truth ever manages to be revealed this could be the biggest of disaster movies.

I could be wrong of course and it's just the usual Thai need for publicity but it doesn't matter as long as this is not screwed up

[ChrisY1]

This story is getting more airplay than the rice scam.....

The DSI is now flat out trying to make the story last longer.....and take the news away from the Govt.

Massive corruption and graft....huge land encroachment issues in parks....pollies ripping of the people....there's endless sagas being played out throughout Thailand.......but some monk that is seemingly rich beyond Thai peoples imagination, gets the headlines....!!!

[NongKhaiKid]

A lot of agencies are getting involved in this when it may not be necessary and " too many cooks " although this may be what's intended as if the complete truth ever manages to be revealed this could be the biggest of disaster movies.

I could be wrong of course and it's just the usual Thai need for publicity but it doesn't matter as long as this is not screwed up

It would be so easy for efficiency's sake to tell DSI it's your case and everyone else co-operate and only DSi speaks to the media.

Efficient but not the Thai way.

[Soutpeel]

why are they attempting to have the US cancel his visa....put a request to the US to arrest him and lock him up pending the commencement of a formal extradition application ?

Getting his visa cancelled means nothing all it means is he cant be in the US, but wouldnt stop him leaving the US and going somewhere else...so what exactly are the incompentants at the DSI trying to do ?

while they are at it..couldnt they also send a similar request to Dubai ?...me thinks double standards No ?

[kurnell]

Are they chasing this guy cos he is embarrassing Thailand as Thais are not in the habit of trying to convict rich, Thai criminals?

[Thai at Heart]

They just had him on channel 3 reclining on the bonnet of his large black merc, at his hilltop residence in the USA.

[Tatsujin]

Wow, the DSI are quick off the mark with this one, but suspiciously slow to do anything about Thaksin . . . wonder why . . . ?

[ramrod711]

There is another self exiled criminal that Thailand assists in every way, including visas and passports. What's the difference?

[NongKhaiKid]

why are they attempting to have the US cancel his visa....put a request to the US to arrest him and lock him up pending the commencement of a formal extradition application ?

Getting his visa cancelled means nothing all it means is he cant be in the US, but wouldnt stop him leaving the US and going somewhere else...so what exactly are the incompentants at the DSI trying to do ?

while they are at it..couldnt they also send a similar request to Dubai ?...me thinks double standards No ?

DSI are talking about 8 charges ready to be laid so an Interpol Red Notice could be sent and the US arrests him.

What you wrote about him leaving the US because of a cancelled visa is spot on and keeps him moving while delaying him actually coming back to Thailand.

[clockman]

He knows too much! no way will he come back to Thailand!

[Songhua]

Wow, the DSI are quick off the mark with this one, but suspiciously slow to do anything about Thaksin . . . wonder why . . . ?

... and the 'other' luxury car scam suddenly feels like the distant past.

[NongKhaiKid]

Thailand at it's very " best ". The grandmother of the then young girl he supposedly fathered a child by said she allowed the girl to go with him as he promised to take care of her.

Granny said he would collect the girl between 17.00 - 18.00 and bring her back at 04.00.

He never supported the B10,000 per month on offer and never gave anything during pregnancy.

Amazing Thailand indeed.

[A Member]

Wow, the DSI are quick off the mark with this one, but suspiciously slow to do anything about Thaksin . . . wonder why . . . ?

There's a Latin expression Festina Lente - to make haste SLOWLY

[HoudiniXLogic]

I mean at the end of the day, its not like its gonna make a difference at all. Its pretty hard to take seriously when the majority of my Thai friends in the Chon Buri - Pattaya area are saying that the Kamnan Poh arrest earlier this year was just a publicity stunt and that he's actually living back in his luxurious mansion right now. Not surprising since the Pattaya mayor has been the main accomplice all along, after all they are father and son. Publicity people, Publicity. "If he were actually in jail.......hahahaha thats a good joke. Jail is a bunch of workers ready to work for him." Thats what somebody told me.

I mean, its like, lets make a big media fiasco out of this, then once it dies down thats when the real corruption takes place.

I can see this monk chilling out back here after the whole media focus on this is over. Even if the money is seized, He definitely still has followers who will probably give him a ton of money to stay content and happy. Now lets go back and focus on the Shinawats driving this country into the ground for their personal greed.

[OzMick]

Why should anyone have their visa cancelled because they are under investigation? Once he is charged, they can apply for extradition.

OR cancel his passport, though on what grounds, as he has not yet been charged let alone convicted like another person with a "legally-issued" passport.

Under Thai law, if your passport is cancelled, so is your visa. At least, as it applies to me; when my passport was stolen by a Thai national, my new type O went with it TYVM. To add insult to injury, even though I identified the thief, BIB refused to investigate, charge or prosecute.

[Halion]

Wow, the DSI are quick off the mark with this one, but suspiciously slow to do anything about Thaksin . . . wonder why . . . ?

There's a Latin expression Festina Lente - to make haste SLOWLY

Quite correct, however, it also serves as a distraction to the myriad of issues the current regime is facing.

After this DSI demonstration of righteous indignation for public consumption the DSI will simply evoke their standard manta of selective jurist prudence to ensure that no one of high standing become tainted. Same shit , different day.

This is all smoke and mirrors from a corrupt administration, jaundiced legal system and a toothless,frightened and compliant media all hell bent to cover their ass and protect the rice bowl.

[Pi Sek]

Why are the DSI going to ask the US to cancel this guy's visa? Shouldn't it be the Foreign Ministry, if anyone (has he been charged or is this all as-yet uninvestigated hearsay)?

Can our Foreign Minister speak English yet?

[jbrain]

While they are at the Passport Revoking Department , they could at the same time have a look at that other much controversial passport from a man from afar.

[Farangdam]

next stop brasillllll............

[tonneke breda]

Why do they not cancell the "Boss" (not bruce springsteen) visa and passports and give out int. Warrents?? Scarry bit$%&

[harrry]

Looks as if the Moskow transit lounge has another guest coming.

[giggles]

great Thai father ,even when incredibly wealthy he still wouldn't give them a pittance to take care of his child .mean and greedy monk

[animatic]

One problem, the State Department of USA does not have diplomatic relations with the DSI of Thailand.

[Baerboxer]

Interesting. So the DSI can work quickly when it wants too. All a big show to help divert attention from the huge amount of issues the government has - rice, water management, cabinet reshuffles, leaked audio tapes etc etc.

However, the DSI, being part of the Justice Department should hopefully know what the rules are concerning extradition.

Hopefully the US will simply ignore this bs and tell the DSI to follow the correct process.

DSI will never investigate or try to extradite their owner of course.

[harrry]

Interesting. So the DSI can work quickly when it wants too. All a big show to help divert attention from the huge amount of issues the government has - rice, water management, cabinet reshuffles, leaked audio tapes etc etc.

However, the DSI, being part of the Justice Department should hopefully know what the rules are concerning extradition.

Hopefully the US will simply ignore this bs and tell the DSI to follow the correct process.

DSI will never investigate or try to extradite their owner of course.

I think the US owes Thailand a few favours at the moment re extradition. And being or claiming to be a monk is not a protection from the laws anywhere except Thailand.

Edited July 15, 2013 by harrry

[PatOngo]

Pray tell me why the authorities are failing to give Thailand's most wanted the same treatment?

[bigwilly]

One problem, the State Department of USA does not have diplomatic relations with the DSI of Thailand.

They still have connections, or at least they did have when they grabbed Victor Bout, the alleged Russian arms dealer.

BW