Latest news with #CentralInvestigationBureau
The Star
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Thai govt warns of military reserve recruitment scams amid border dispute
BANGKOK: The Thai government has denied contacting citizens via phone or the Line application to enlist them in the military reserve force, urging people to follow official government sources for updates. Deputy government spokesman Anukool Pruksanusak urged people not to believe unverified information from unofficial sources amid the border dispute between Thai and Cambodian troops in the Chong Bok area of Ubon Ratchathani province. He emphasised that military agencies have no policy to contact citizens via phone calls or request them to add Line accounts for any proceedings. "The Royal Thai Army has not called for reserve forces. We urge people not to believe messages or individuals falsely claiming this to deceive and exploit them," he stated. Meanwhile, the Central Investigation Bureau also issued a warning, stating that scammers have been impersonating military personnel, calling citizens and falsely claiming that the recipient's name is listed in the reserve forces. They then instruct the individual to contact their supposed affiliated unit and, if they do not wish to enlist, to register for exemption by adding a Line account to communicate with an officer. The police explained that these scammers provide victims' names, ID numbers, and personal details to gain their trust, making them believe they are interacting with real military authorities. Once lured into Line conversations, victims are coerced into submitting personal data under pressure and fear—leading to financial losses and compromised sensitive information. "We urge the public to rely solely on official government sources for information and refrain from spreading or sharing unverified data to prevent confusion that could spark domestic conflict," Anukool remarked. "Furthermore, updates on the Thai-Cambodian border situation should be obtained from government agencies or relevant security organisations to ensure the public receives accurate information and can act accordingly." Reserve forces, or military reservists, are individuals who have previously served in the military but have since returned to civilian life. The process of calling up reserve forces follows these steps: The territorial army command notifies the governor of the province where the reservist resides. A summons letter is sent to the reservist, instructing them to comply with the order. The summoned individual must report to the designated location and time as specified in the letter. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
17-05-2025
- The Star
Monk held over US$9mil missing from temple
Thai police have arrested a Buddhist monk over allegations he embezzled more than US$9mil (RM38.5mil) from the prominent temple he ran which was funded by donations from devotees. Investigators from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) accuse Abbot Phra Thammachiranuwat from Wat Rai Khing of siphoning more than 300 million baht from the temple's bank account into his own. Investigators traced funds from the temple on Bangkok's western outskirts to an illegal online gambling network running baccarat card games, local media said. Temples in Buddhist-majority Thailand rely heavily on income from 'merit-making' ceremonies where worshippers make donations in hopes of gaining good fortune and better reincarnation. Police charged Phra Thammachiranuwat with corruption and malfeasance, CIB deputy commissioner Jaroonkiat Pankaew told reporters at a press conference on Thursday. Authorities have arrested a second suspect and are investigating whether others were involved, while local media reported the abbot has now left the monkhood. Wat Rai Khing, believed to have been founded in 1851, houses a replica of the Buddha's footprint. The arrest from one of the Bangkok suburb's most prominent temples has triggered significant backlash on social media. 'Next time I will donate to a hospital or school for good causes, not a temple,' one user posted on social media platform X. Others advised fellow Buddhists to remain firm in their faith. 'Not all monks are bad. Don't generalise,' another X user wrote. — AFP
The Hindu
16-05-2025
- The Hindu
Thailand monk arrested over $9 million temple embezzlement
Thai police have arrested a Buddhist monk over allegations he embezzled more than $9 million from the prominent temple he ran which was funded by donations from devotees. Investigators from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) accuse Abbot Phra Thammachiranuwat from Wat Rai Khing of siphoning more than 300 million baht ($9.05 million) from the temple's bank account into his own. Investigators traced funds from the temple on Bangkok's western outskirts to an illegal online gambling network running baccarat card games, local media said. Temples in Buddhist-majority Thailand rely heavily on income from "merit-making" ceremonies where worshippers make donations in hopes of gaining good fortune and better reincarnation. Police charged Phra Thammachiranuwat with corruption and malfeasance, CIB deputy commissioner Jaroonkiat Pankaew told reporters at a press conference on Thursday. "This (arrest) is to help purify our religion," Mr. Jaroonkiat said. Authorities have arrested a second suspect and are investigating whether others were involved, while local media reported the abbot has now left the monkhood. Wat Rai Khing, believed to have been founded in 1851, houses a replica of the Buddha's footprint. The arrest from one of the Bangkok suburb's most prominent temples has triggered significant backlash on social media. "Next time I will donate to a hospital or school for good causes, not a temple," one user posted on social media platform X. Others cautioned their fellow Buddhists to remain firm in their faith. "Not all monks are bad. Don't generalise," another X user wrote.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Monk arrested for allegedly embezzling $9 million from temple
Thai police have arrested a Buddhist monk over allegations he embezzled more than $9 million from the prominent temple he ran which was funded by donations from devotees. Investigators from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) accuse Abbot Phra Thammachiranuwat from Wat Rai Khing of siphoning more than 300 million baht ($9.05 million) from the temple's bank account into his own. Investigators traced funds from the temple on Bangkok's western outskirts to an illegal online gambling network running baccarat card games, local media said. Temples in Buddhist-majority Thailand rely heavily on income from "merit-making" ceremonies where worshippers make donations in hopes of gaining good fortune and better reincarnation. Police charged Phra Thammachiranuwat with corruption and malfeasance, CIB deputy commissioner Jaroonkiat Pankaew told reporters at a press conference on Thursday. "This (arrest) is to help purify our religion," Jaroonkiat said. Authorities have arrested a second suspect and are investigating whether others were involved, while local media reported the abbot has now left the monkhood. Wat Rai Khing, believed to have been founded in 1851, houses a replica of the Buddha's footprint. The arrest from one of the Bangkok suburb's most prominent temples has triggered significant backlash on social media. "Next time I will donate to a hospital or school for good causes, not a temple," one user posted on social media. Others cautioned their fellow Buddhists to remain firm in their faith. "Not all monks are bad. Don't generalize," another social media user wrote. Buddhist temples in Thailand have made headlines for unusual reasons before. Last November, Thai police launched an investigation of a Buddhist monastery after authorities discovered 41 bodies on site which were allegedly used for meditation practices. In 2022, every single monk at a Buddhist temple in central Thailand was defrocked after they tested positive for methamphetamine. The monks were sent to a health clinic to undergo drug rehabilitation. Sneak peek: Fatal First Date Texas mom accused of buying ammunition for son who officials say planned school attack Trump teases "good news" on Russia-Ukraine war
The Sun
16-05-2025
- The Sun
Thai monk arrested over $9 million temple embezzlement
BANGKOK: Thai police have arrested a Buddhist monk over allegations he embezzled more than $9 million from the prominent temple he ran which was funded by donations from devotees. Investigators from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) accuse Abbot Phra Thammachiranuwat from Wat Rai Khing of siphoning more than 300 million baht ($9.05 million) from the temple's bank account into his own. Investigators traced funds from the temple on Bangkok's western outskirts to an illegal online gambling network running baccarat card games, local media said. Temples in Buddhist-majority Thailand rely heavily on income from 'merit-making' ceremonies where worshippers make donations in hopes of gaining good fortune and better reincarnation. Police charged Phra Thammachiranuwat with corruption and malfeasance, CIB deputy commissioner Jaroonkiat Pankaew told reporters at a press conference on Thursday. 'This (arrest) is to help purify our religion,' Jaroonkiat said. Authorities have arrested a second suspect and are investigating whether others were involved, while local media reported the abbot has now left the monkhood. Wat Rai Khing, believed to have been founded in 1851, houses a replica of the Buddha's footprint. The arrest from one of the Bangkok suburb's most prominent temples has triggered significant backlash on social media. 'Next time I will donate to a hospital or school for good causes, not a temple,' one user posted on social media platform X. Others cautioned their fellow Buddhists to remain firm in their faith. 'Not all monks are bad. Don't generalise,' another X user wrote.
