Bangkok: The Deputy Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau has initiated an investigation into the potential misuse of donations received by Wat Na Pa Pong, raising questions about the management of the temple’s financial affairs.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Maj. Gen. Charoonkiat Pankaew, Deputy Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, reported progress following a complaint filed with the Anti-Corruption and Misconduct Division (ACD) concerning the abbot’s financial activities at Wat Na Pa Pong. The investigation has been split into two cases: one involves a complaint filed by a victim’s lawyer with the ACD, which has been forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for coordination, and the other involves a separate request to investigate Wat Na Pa Pong.
Initial evidence review has revealed some inconsistencies, particularly concerning the temple’s donation accounts. The investigation seeks to determine if the funds were used for their intended purposes, such as supporting temple-related activities, and to track the whereabouts and usage of over 12 million baht in unrelated donations. The inquiry will also explore whether additional accounts were opened domestically or abroad. Should the NACC return the case to investigators, they will coordinate with the Attorney General due to the case’s international implications.
The investigation has uncovered a financial trail linked to the victims, revealing significant monetary transactions, possibly amounting to hundreds of millions of baht, related to the opening of a temple branch in Germany between 2013 and 2016. However, further details remain undisclosed.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Charoonkiat attributes the high volume of donations to the devotion of Buddhists towards the abbot of Wat Na Pa Pong. The investigation aims to ascertain if the donations were misappropriated. It is suspected that eight or nine individuals, including monks and laypeople, might be involved, though the abbot has not yet been summoned for clarification as the evidence and victim testimonies are still under review.