Wanted monk Wiraphon being extradited today

[webfact]

Wanted monk Wiraphon being extradited today

By The Nation

 

File photo

 

BANGKOK: -- NOTORIOUS former monk Wiraphon Sukphon, or Nen Kham, is scheduled to return to Thailand tonight after he decided not to appeal against an extradition ruling by a US Court in California.

 

Wiraphon, 38, was arrested in the US last year at the request of Thailand’s Office of the Attorney-General as he is wanted in Thailand on charges of fraud, sexual harassment against a juvenile, and money laundering of about Bt40 million.

 

He is due to arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport at about 10pm. 

 

A team of Thai officers was sent to the US to escort him back to face prosecution in the Kingdom after American authorities informed the Office of the Attorney-General of the extradition ruling. 

 

They travelled to the US even before they knew whether or not Wiraphon would appeal. Wiraphon, who has reportedly been out of the monkhood since his arrest, has been in jail since a US court denied a bail request.

 

Before fleeing Thailand, the then monk was known for his extravagant lifestyle, including his use of brand-name products and travelling by private jets, despite the fact that he was still in the monkhood. A video clip released in 2013 showed him travelling by personal jet, carrying a Louis Vuitton bag and wearing brand-name sunglasses.

 

He was a former head of Wat Pakhantitham forest monastery in Si Sa Ket province. 

 

He was praised by his followers as a devout monk and helped earn popularity for the monastery. 

 

 

However, a series of his alleged notorious behaviour was revealed later.

 

Another clip, showing a man who looked like Wiraphon and a woman having sex, went viral. He maintained that the man on the video was his brother. A woman has claimed in Si Sa Ket court that Wiraphon had fathered her child and she was ready to have a DNA test to back up her claim. 

 

She filed for compensation of Bt40 million from him.

 

He reportedly fled to France and eventually to the US after a series of scandals and allegations and his jet-setting lifestyles were revealed. His stories caught the attention of some foreign news agencies.

 

And when he fled to the US, he posted photos with luxurious houses and cars while wearing his yellow robes. 

 

In the US, he was said to have been residing at Kantibaramee monastery in San Diego, California.

 

During the DSI’s moves to indict him, about Bt2 billion in his bank accounts as well as some plots of land and houses, were seized pending trial.

 

According to procedure, when Wiraphon returns to Thailand, officials from the Department of Special Investigation will detain him before notifying him of all charges and then question him. He will be handed over to public prosecutors of the Special Litigation Department who will submit the case for consideration. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30321129

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-07-19

[meatboy]

extradited today are you sure it wasnt yesterday

[SABloke]

I wonder if the Thai cops knew his exact location before asking for the extradition, or is that just a requirement when seeking extradition of a billionaire heir? 

[Raymonddiaz]

Why do they need to send a directors and head officers  to get back a fugitive . Or it's a good way to get  for free holiday ????

[lujanit]

5 minutes ago, Raymonddiaz said:

Why do they need to send a directors and head officers  to get back a fugitive . Or it's a good way to get  for free holiday ????

Free paid holidays to another country are just a fringe benefit, part of the job

[meatboy]

due to arrive at 10pm. escorted by a team of thai officers he only went for a piss,he must have had a parachute.HONEST.

[colinneil]

Maybe he will try the Dhammachayo trick, !!Walking on water to escape !!

[mikebell]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

when Wiraphon returns to Thailand, officials from the Department of Special Investigation will detain him

When! So they managed to translate the required papers?

[rkidlad]

What time does he land? I wanna be there so I can rub his head for good luck. 

[fire69water]

Why do I have this vision of the Keystone Cops going to the States and doing the extradition?

[12DrinkMore]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Bt2 billion in his bank accounts

WOW! 2 Billion .

 

It is certainly time to have proper accounting for all the wats and monks.

 

Religion is one massively profitable business. Except for minimal upkeep charges, all donations should be channelled back into the local community for health, schooling and infrastructure. 

[Jip99]

1 minute ago, 12DrinkMore said:

WOW! 2 Billion .

 

It is certainly time to have proper accounting for all the wats and monks.

 

Religion is one massively profitable business. Except for minimal upkeep charges, all donations should be channelled back into the local community for health, schooling and infrastructure. 

 

 

Commendable.

 

Unachievable as too many are feeding from the trough!

[Morch]

Every time I see the pic in the OP I somehow expect it to be a link to a music clip. Probably a rap or hip hop thing.

Edited July 19, 2017 by Morch

[thecyclist]

Thailand is one of the least Buddhist countries in the world:The majority of monks as well as laypeople constitute in their daily conduct the antithesis to everything the Buddha taught. 

Maybe just a percent or two of monks seriously pursue Dhamma, mindfulness and selflessness.The late Archan Cha said that Buddhism in Thailand couldn't possibly sink any lower, and that was decades ago.Since then it probably did (sink further)

[BaiLao]

Don't be so harsh on him. As a good Buddhist leader and representative of the Sangha in Thailand, he wasn't attached to material, earthly possessions. No - not at all. He just flew in them, drove in them, played with them, wore them, ate them, probably spent lots on buying them, probably stashed lots of them away, sat in them, lived in them, abandoned them, listened to them, drank them and did all sorts of other activities with them...ad nauseum. What a role model - especially for the working class and bourgeoisie!