Fugitive ex-monk narrowly escapes arrest in Laos

[webfact]

Fugitive Ex-Monk Narrowly Escapes Arrest In Laos
By Khaosod Online


Mr. Wirapol Sukphol (center, next to the Caucasian individual) after he narrowly escapes from the DSI in Laos.

BANGKOK: -- The attempt by the Thai police to arrest a controversial ex-monk in Laos ended when the fugitive made a dramatic escape from the besieging officers with his private helicopter.

The former monk, Mr. Wirapol Sukphol, is wanted by the Division of Special Investigation (DSI) for alleged financial fraud, computer crimes, and sexual assault of an underage woman.

He has been eluding the DSI ever since the controversy broke out; Mr. Wirapol is believed to have resided in France, the US, and he was last known to be taking an abode in Wat Phoo Khaokwai Temple near the capital city of Laos, where he reportedly resumed acting as a monk in spite of his excommunication from the Thai Buddhist authorities.

Source close to Mr. Wirapol, known formerly as Luang Puu Nen Kham, said a team of DSI agents had carried an arrest warrant to the temple in Vientiane, intent on apprehending the monk and bringing him back to face charges in Thailand.

However, reports say, local Laotian officials barred the DSI from entering the temple, arguing that the Thai agents had not carried a proper document permitting them to make an arrest within Laotian borders.

Reportedly, as 2 sides were negotiating just outside the temple, one of Mr. Wirapol′s disciples then flew a private helicopter owned by the ex-monk to pick up Mr. Wirapol and some of his close companions away. The DSI field agents could only look on helplessly.

Sources also revealed that Mr. Wirapol is currently hiding in a Laotian temple in Oklahoma, USA, and had received legal advices from an American lawyer.

According to the sources, the American lawyer is attempting to seek Mr. Wirapol an asylum visa to remain in the US on the ground of "religious persecution", which he will be protected from extradition to the kingdom.

It is not clear why the DSI agents were operating in Laos, or whether the Laotian officials had been informed of the arrest attempt.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ansukate Wisuthiwattanasak, DSI Security Crime Department Chief, said that Mr. Wirapol′s brother, Mr. Suri Sukphol, had confessed for falsely claiming that he was to responsible for Mr. Wirapol′s child, which he did on famous TV news programme, in order to protect his brother′s reputation.

The DSI said that they are hoping to meet with the US Immigration Office and Customs in the US at the end of this month, to bring Mr. Wirapol′s back to stand trials in Thailand.

There is no immediate comment from the US authorities on the matter.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNM09USTJNRGs1TkE9PQ==

-- KHAOSOD English 2013-09-16

[Somtamnication]

Can it get any more surreal than this?

[saakura]

Good to know that at least some criminals are being chased.

[NongKhaiKid]

Well done DSI, with your usual professional determination you appear to have entered another sovereign nation to try and enforce Thai law.

This is an international NO, NO and the usual procedure is to have local officers make the actual arrest than take the necessary legal steps to have the arrested person handed over. Given nationalistic feelings there may be more to this and certainly here in Isan the average Thai looks down on people from Lao but it seems the incompetence of the DSI knows no bounds.

Mind you it hasn't stopped the ever loyal Tarit having his tenure extended by a year.

[LomSak27]

He's still otu there!!! WoooHooo

Turnabout is fair play too

However, reports say, local Laotian officials barred the DSI from entering the temple, arguing that the Thai agents had not carried a proper document permitting them to make an arrest within Laotian borders.

It's a slow news week - Lets run with this story!

[Lobo4819]

His private helicopter. This is like The Three Stooges vs Jim Baker.

[lujanit]

Monks have private helicopters. Where do I sign up?

[Thai at Heart]

Thai officials screw up basic arrest?

I think they had watched that movie about getting bin laden...

[asiamaster]

So the helicopter flew from Laos to Oklahoma???

[arthurboy]

Comedy of the highest order.

Edited September 16, 2013 by arthurboy

[Notstupid30]

[negreanu]

Yup because an airborne Helicopter is pretty tough to trace....

[mooris7]

Yes I to am wondering how he got for Laos to the USA so quickly. From private helicopter to the airport. Obviously obtaining a visa for America, passing the mandatory visa interview process, and I wonder if his Thai passport is valid???? Something in this story does not make sense.

[americaninbangkok]

If DSI feels comfortable running around Laos, maybe it should start searching for criminals in Dubai, Montenegro, and Hong Kong?

[Mrjlh]

Notice his farange friends arm? Thought it was not permitted to touch a Monk. is this correct? Or is that only for women?

[dudu]

Hmmm, hello, we have come to arrest you,please come with us, ok, i just need to go to the toilet,back in 5minutes, is this what happened?...

[sirfin]

Can it get any more surreal than this?

Now this is just way out of hand... I can not stand hearing about this any longer.

A complete waste of time.

Just report when he is in court.

Forget the all this crap about jumping back and fourth from Country to Country and the near misses..

[sjjmmi]

So the helicopter flew from Laos to Oklahoma???

mid air refuelling

[ETatBKK]

I wonder how this guy could 'travel' in and out different countries as such, especially US. anyone goes into the US border demanding valid documents. what he has now - Thai passport, monk's permit, valid visa ? ? ?

[JoeThePoster]

Helicopter is an euphemism for magic carpet.

[Lysdexic]

Run, Wirapol, run!

I smell a reality show.

[thaidel48]

If they can go after an Ex-monk in Loas why can't they do the same for MR T in Cambodia In fact isnt Thailand a member of Interpol ?

[Tchooptip]

The last James Bond title: In saffron robe

[negreanu]

I heard he was assisted by ghosts in thai traditional costumes to board the helicopter....

[sjjmmi]

If they can go after an Ex-monk in Loas why can't they do the same for MR T in Cambodia In fact isnt Thailand a member of Interpol ?

Yes

http://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/World

[sjjmmi]

I heard he was assisted by ghosts in thai traditional costumes to board the helicopter....

[landslide]

Why hasn't Thailand cancelled his passport? The sad thing is, the US will probably give him asylum, since the USCIS has stopped enforcing most immigration laws, except for those who attempt to follow the rules. Then it will be delay and denial, time after time.

[klauskunkel]

Laotian officials barred the DSI from entering the temple, arguing that the Thai agents had not carried a proper document permitting them to make an arrest within Laotian borders.

Hah! I know exactly what kind of document they were missing! Soooo funny, Thai officials being asked for bribes by Laotian officials....which was there first, the chicken or the egg?

[Gonzo the Face]

Thaksin = Big Money = Running Free

Mr. Red Bull = Big Money = Running Free

Mad Monk = Big Money = Running Free

Is there something of a pattern here ????

can't prove you cannot use email.....= No Money = Die in jail

Edited September 16, 2013 by Gonzo the Face

[clockman]

He had god on his side! And was wearing that special Amulet! Thailand. joke of the week.