Pathum thani: Attorney Ananchai asserts that the case against a famous monk in Pathum Thani will not be 100% successful. Attorney Ananchai has 100% confirmed the case of a famous monk transferring over 12 million baht to Germany. He urged the police to expedite the investigation into the financial connections of a close female devotee.
According to Thai News Agency, Attorney Ananchai Chaidej, president of the Thanakhantham Foundation, revealed the case involves a 12.2 million baht embezzlement scandal linked to a monk at a well-known temple in Pathum Thani province. Ananchai plans to visit the Central Investigation Bureau this Friday to submit additional evidence and file a complaint. The investigation demands a comprehensive review of the temple’s financial history to ensure legal compliance. Ananchai expressed full confidence that the case will remain unresolved. He presented evidence showing funds being transferred from the temple to a laywoman in Germany, with the monk admitting in a German court that the funds were donations.
The temple’s lawyer recently stated at a press conference that the money transfer was a donation, with the temple treasurer withdrawing the funds and transferring them to Germany. This action, however, contradicts the 2018 Ministerial Regulation on the Care and Management of Temple Property, which mandates that temple funds be deposited into bank accounts. The regulations limit the amount of cash a temple can hold annually. Questions arise about the origin of the 12.2 million baht and whether proper accounts were maintained.
The transfer of funds to Germany raises legal concerns, as transferring temple funds to a foundation or association abroad without adhering to regulations is deemed unlawful. This action potentially violates ministerial regulations and money laundering laws. The temple is urged to clarify its financial transactions with relevant authorities, including the Anti-Money Laundering Office and the Anti-Corruption Commission. The request for police to investigate the foundation in Germany is beyond jurisdiction, as the issue extends outside the Kingdom.
Allegations also surfaced regarding a female lay associate of the abbot using the funds for personal purchases, such as a car. The Anti-Corruption Division police are expected to investigate these claims thoroughly.
Ms. Thongmai Kwanmuen, or Attorney Um, representing Khun Yu, has stated that Khun Yu harbors no malice toward the abbot and is prepared to participate in the Thai legal process if implicated. She is willing to return to Thailand to assume responsibility, involving approximately nine individuals, including the abbot.
The ongoing debate questions whether the crime’s international aspects might allow the abbot to evade prosecution. However, Ananchai maintains that since the incident originated in Thailand, local authorities possess the jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute.