DSI Taking a Second Look at Klongchen Embezzlement Case

[Jacob Maslow]

DSI will investigate its own investigators who may have mishandled the initial investigation into the Klongchen Credit Union Cooperative embezzlement scandal.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is taking a second look at the Klongchen Credit Union Cooperative embezzlement case. The department is looking into how the early stages of the case were handled to determine why the charges were dropped against two suspected accomplices.

The initial investigation will be examined by an inquiry panel who will look at several issues, including delays and the final decision to drop charges against alleged accomplices Watchanon Nawa-isararak and Jiradech Wongpiankul. Allegedly, the two were recipients of the money transferred from the co-op’s former board chairman, who is a key suspect in the case.

The original investigation team had been replaced several weeks ago due to complaints that the investigation into the embezzlement case was moving too slowly. When the team dropped the charges, public prosecutors reported to the DSI and demanded further inquiries.

The deputy permanent secretary for justice said DSI investigators had found title deeds along with other evidence in a seized safe from S W Holding Group. The evidence tied the cooperative to the scandal. The DSI and the Anti-Money Laundering Office were jointly involved in the opening of the safe.

Pol Lt Col Pakorn Sucheewakul has been asked to extend the investigation. Pol Col Dusadee is seeking information related to the transfer of title deeds from Mr. Supachi to other individuals. Pakorn’s team will also examine links between the Klongchan cooperative, the temple itself and the Mongkhol Setthi Credit Union Cooperative.

According to one source, information from the initial investigation suggests a clear financial tie between the three. The source said that Mr. Supachi was chairman of both cooperatives. Allegedly, Klongchan invested money in Mongkhol Setthi cooperative, who granted Wat Phra Dhammakaya followers low interest loans to make merit. Evidence of loans being granted for merit-making purposes was found in the financial accounts of Mongkhol Setthi cooperative.

-- 2015-02-27

[eggers]

"Ohh, what a tangled web we weave,

When first,second & third we practise to deceive!"

With apologies to Sir Walter Scott variation.

[arthurboy]

Now the Dhammakaya temple has used around 2 billion baht of - cough - donated money to buy land etc., it will be nigh on impossible to get back. Couple that with the shenanigans with the Sangha Council and the people have no chance of seeing this money again.

But with 10-16 billion missing (reports are inconsistent), where are the remaining billions?

So DSI, the people are waiting for your crack investigators to let them know...

[Tatsujin]

As always, it's the who "polices" the "Police" issue ... sounds like they're all none too averse to taking some backhanders, whichever side of the law they claim to be protecting or serving.