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Bangkok Post
4 days ago
- Bangkok Post
Monks' misconduct draws complaints
More than 100 complaints have been filed with a special centre recently established by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) to investigate allegations of misconduct among Buddhist monks, according to Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pankaew, the bureau's deputy commissioner. Investigators have conducted preliminary reviews of the complaints and will proceed with cases where sufficient evidence is available, he said yesterday. However, Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat declined to disclose details, citing the sensitivity of the cases. Complaints lacking credible evidence will be forwarded to local police for further examination. If no legal grounds are found, the cases will be dismissed, he added. Among the most recent complaints is one submitted on July 23 against a senior monk in Bangkok's Phasi Charoen district. A group of individuals accused the acting abbot of Wat Luang Phor Opasi of sexual misconduct and questionable financial management of temple funds. The CIB has not yet assessed whether there is enough supporting information to pursue the case. This complaint comes in the wake of a broader scandal involving a woman known as "Sika Golf", who is alleged to have had romantic and financial relationships with at least 12 senior monks nationwide. The case has sparked widespread outrage and reignited debate over the declining moral standards within Thailand's monastic community. At Wat Dhammamongkol in Bang Na district, one monk, who asked to remain anonymous, recently expressed frustration at the impact such scandals have on other members of the clergy. "There are so many cases, some are impostors, others simply don't honour their vows," he said. "They tarnish the image of Buddhism and undermine the credibility of monks who are truly devoted." The fallout from these scandals is being felt far beyond temple walls. Pensri Boonmee, a 32-year-old florist who runs a shop near Wat Dhammamongkol, said she has noticed a significant drop in foot traffic. "Every time a scandal hits, there's a decline," she said. "But this time, it feels worse. My regular customers are visiting less frequently, and some have stopped coming altogether." Another Bangkok resident shared a similar sense of disillusionment. "I was never deeply religious," they said. "But these scandals have turned my indifference into disgust. We gave monks money, respect, and a platform, and this is what happens when we put them beyond scrutiny. Now, society is paying the price," he said.
Bangkok Post
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Police dig deeper into Nakhon Sawan temple funds scandal
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) is intensifying its investigation into the alleged misappropriation of temple funds at Wat Nakhon Sawan and a long-delayed Buddhist park project involving the former abbot. Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pankaew, CIB deputy commissioner, on Tuesday provided updates on the high-profile case involving the former abbott, Phra Thamma Wachiratheerakun, now known by the lay name 'Thid Sarit' (former monk Sarit). He was also the ecclesiastical chief of the central plains province of Nakhon Sawan until his abrupt retirement from the monkhood on July 19. Police investigators continued their search for evidence of misdoing on Tuesday, after earlier uncovering multiple irregularities, including the resignation of the acting director of the Nakhon Sawan campus of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU) and the involvement of other people whose roles were under scrutiny, the CIB deputy chief said. He affirmed that legal action would be taken against any people found to be involved in corruption. 'Police are duty-bound to protect the nation, religion and monarchy. We must act to safeguard the integrity of Buddhist institutions,' he said. He declined to confirm whether the resignation of the acting director the MCU's Nakhon Sawan campus was linked to the temple fund irregularities. He did acknowledge that many people were under investigation. The in-depth probe follows the emergence of details of the scandals involving the former abbot. The former Phra Thamma Wachiratheerakun, 67, came under the media spotlight after photos showing him embracing a woman while wearing a wig went viral online. The former senior monk is also accused of secretive affairs with three women. It was reported that the acting director of the MCU's Nakhon Sawan campus, who recently resigned from the campus, had an alleged special relationship with the former abbot, The former abbot is under investigation over suspected financial irregularities in the Nakhon Sawan Buddhist Park project, which has been underway for 15-20 years and is still not complete despite receiving hundreds of millions of baht in donations. Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat said the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) and the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) were all now working on the case, trace the flow of funds. All parties involved would be held to account, he reiterated. According to the CIB deputy chief, the former abbot had borrowed large sums from monks at temples in Bangkok. The transactions were now under investigation. Investigators were also examining temple bank accounts, which currently showed only a few million baht remaining. This raised questions about the disappearance of substantial donations. All contractors involved in the Buddhist Park project would be summoned for questioning, Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat said. Once the evidence was compiled, legal proceedings would follow, including the issuance of summonses and arrest warrants, he added. There were reports that Wat Nakhon Sawan may have received donations totaling several hundred million baht for the Buddhist Park project. One major donor, a now deceased businessman, reportedly contributed 50 million baht to the temple.
Bangkok Post
20-07-2025
- Bangkok Post
Ecclesiastical chief of Nakhon Sawan quits monkhood amid sex scandal
NAKHON SAWAN: The abbot of Wat Nakhon Sawan, who was also the ecclesiastical chief in this lower northern province, left the monkhood just before midnight on Saturday night. It was reported that Phra Thamma Wachiratheerakhun, 67, disrobed at Wat Nakhon Sawan in Muang district at 11.49pm on Saturday. A deputy abbot of the Buddhist temple chaired a ceremony for his departure from the monkhood. The development followed his resignation as the abbot and the provincial ecclesiastical chief on Friday. Phra Thamma Wachiratheerakhun wrote in his resignation letter dated Friday that he had health problems and was the subject of reports that had a seriously negative impact on Buddhist monks. The departure after 47 years as a monk came after Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pankaew, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, told reporters that he was investigating a scandal concerning a senior monk who was outside Bangkok. On July 15, Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat arrested Wilawan "Sika Golf" Emsawat, 35, who allegedly had sexual relations with many senior monks from well-known Buddhist temples. Police found numerous video clips of sexual affairs with the monks as well as evidence of extortion and blackmail against some of them. Police said that the woman had received 385 million baht in her bank accounts over the past three years. After the Sika Golf case, the Central Investigation Bureau opened a special centre to handle complaints about monks' misconduct. His Majesty the King has issued a royal command to revoke the royal appointments and ecclesiastical titles previously conferred upon a total of 81 monks, in light of recent reports of monastic misconduct.
The Star
19-07-2025
- The Star
Thai police to probe senior monks involved in large-scale fraud, extorting funds for temple construction
Image from The Nation Thailand/ANN BANGKOK (The Nation Thailand/ANN): Thai police investigate senior monks in connection with extorting hundreds of millions for temple projects. The case is unrelated to the 'Femme Fatale Golf' scandal but raises concerns over corruption. Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pankaew, Deputy Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, on Friday discussed the ongoing investigation into senior monks allegedly involved in fraudulent activities, including extorting funds for the construction of religious sites. This case, he clarified, is separate from the "Femme Fatale Golf" case, which involves a 35-year-old woman named Golf, but also includes the involvement of certain monks. This case had been previously reported to the Department for Religious Affairs but had yet to be fully disclosed. It involves senior monks accused of misappropriating donations meant for building temples, with the funds totalling several hundred million baht. There are also allegations linking these monks to the 'Femme Fatale Golf' scandal, but the police are still gathering evidence to pursue criminal charges. Investigators have already found clear indications of serious misconduct, but they are ensuring they have sufficient proof before making formal charges. Jaroonkiat confirmed that the monks under investigation hold higher ranks than those involved in the 'Femme Fatale Golf' case. However, he did not specify the names of the monks or the temples involved, stating that further details would be disclosed as the investigation progresses. He assured the public that searches and actions would be taken against all those implicated shortly. The case follows an extortion scheme involving Phrathep Wachirapamok, also known as "Chaokhun Arj", the former abbot of Wat Tri Thotsathep, with authorities identifying financial transactions exceeding 385 million baht over the past three years. The investigation continues, with additional links to several other monks being traced. - The Nation Thailand/ANN
Bangkok Post
19-07-2025
- Bangkok Post
Senior monk linked to new scandal not from Bangkok, say police
A prominent monk implicated in an alleged embezzlement case involving temple funds and affairs with a woman is based outside of Bangkok, a senior police officer said on Saturday. The case is also separate from the 'Sika Golf' sex scandal that has rocked the Buddhist clergy, said Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pankaew, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB). Recent reports circulating in the media had misinterpreted information supplied to police investigators about the new embezzlement investigation. Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat stressed that the details received from a newly established centre handling complaints about monks' misconduct involved a prominent provincial monk and had no connection to any monks based in Bangkok. 'We are aware of reports circulating in the media, but police have not yet taken any action (against the accused monk),' said the senior officer known as 'Big Tao'. He also dismissed as inaccurate speculation that the senior monk in question may hold the rank of Somdet, the highest ecclesiastical title. He said the monk held a high-ranking title but it remained unclear whether the rank was Phra Thep, Phra Phrom or Phra Somdet. Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat insisted that the monk under scrutiny was not the one with the rank of Somdet who was widely discussed on social media. The suspect has been the subject of long-standing complaints involving the misuse of temple donations, said the CIB chief. Several hundred million baht, raised from people over many years, were intended for the construction of a major religious site. However, the project remains unfinished after more than a decade. 'There are clear signs of misconduct. Some of the money was allegedly diverted for personal purposes, including supporting a woman,' he said. 'At this stage, we are not disclosing whose account the funds were transferred to.' Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat said that while police do not have the authority to defrock a monk, they will present the evidence to the relevant religious authorities for consideration. 'If a monk lacks proper conduct, he should not be revered,' he added. Asked whether an arrest warrant or search warrant will be issued, he said there is sufficient evidence to proceed but added that authorities would follow due process and not act hastily. Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat emphasised that both police and other agencies responsible were working to root out improper behaviour within the monastic community to preserve public trust. He called on the media to refrain from sensationalism and stick to verified facts. The scandal involving Sika Golf and senior monks has gripped Thailand in recent weeks. Sika Golf, whose real name is Wilawan Emsawat, was accused of developing intimate relationships with high-ranking monks and using them for financial gain, sparking a wide-ranging police investigation and multiple arrests. Ms Wilawan, 35, was arrested in at her home in Nonthaburi province last Tuesday and has already been charged with enabling a monk's embezzlement of temple funds, laundering money and receiving stolen goods. She is being detained at the Central Investigation Bureau in Bangkok. Police searched her house and found a number of mobile phones storing about 80,000 sex photos and videos involving senior monks at many famous temples. So far, 13 monks linked to the case have been disrobed. All will be questioned, including the latest, Phra Maha Yodpet, the former abbot of Wat Tha Bua Thong in Phichit province.
