Three members of the Sangha Council and two other senior monks have been implicated of alleged involvement in temple fund embezzlement by the National Office of Buddhism.
NOB director Pol Lt-Col Pongporn Pramsaneh has already lodged complaint to the Counter Corruption Police Division (CCPD) against the five senior monks for alleged embezzlement of fund for renovation of religious schools at three temples in Bangkok.
The five senior monks include three Sangha Council members namely Phra Promdilok, abbot of Wat Sam Phraya; Phra Prommethi, assistant abbot of Wat Samphanthawong; and Phra Promsit, abbot of Wat Saket; Phra Methisuthikorn, assistant abbot of Wat Saket; and Phra Vichitthammaporn, assistant abbot of Wat Saket.
Pol Maj-Gen Kamon Rienracha, commander of the CCPD, said yesterday (April 16) that the case against the five senior monks had been forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission and he himself had asked the NOB chief for a meeting on Thursday (April 19) to provide him with additional information about the case.
A Thai PBS team went to Wat Saket on Tuesday, but failed to meet the abbot and his two assistants. The living quarters of the three monks closed and a car of the abbot parked in the garage.
A religious school on the temple’s ground is under repairs as the school building is more than 60 years old.
NACC secretary-general Worawit Sukboon said he asked a legal panel to find out whether the NACC has the authority to investigate monks or not, pointing out that monks are not regarded as state officials. SBP – EP
