Monks in private jets pass test

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gavesako
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Re: Monks in private jets pass test

Post by gavesako »

David N. Snyder wrote:Apparently this "monk" also has a wife and 7 other women and can walk on water. Wonder why he needed the jet?
As more and more details about LP Nenkham's misbehaviour are emerging, I can only agree with this comment on Bangkok Post:

It is obvious that many people knew about what was going on, yet nobody bothered to report him. This is Thailand: "Never mess with anybody with wealth and power, don't ever ask where the money comes from. Show respect and stay as close as you can, as the loyal ones will be rewarded...."


It is also clear that LP Nenkham was depositing some of the money in US dollars and gold bars (donated for the Biggest Ever Emerald Buddha project) offshore, probably preparing for the case that he will eventually have to leave Thailand:

Pilot lifts lid on monk's depravity
Luang Pu Nen Kham: His secret life of debauchery


The hidden life of super luxury led by embattled monk Phra Wirapol Sukphol, better known as Luang Pu Nen Kham Chattiko, has been exposed by a pilot who used to find private jet rentals for the holy man.
A message, claimed to be written by Bangkok Aviation Centre founder and CEO Piya Tregalnon, revealing the jet-setting monk's unusual wealth has been shared widely on social networks.
Wing Commander Piya Sunday confirmed he posted the message on his Facebook page.
"I have been wondering for three years why the monk has such large amounts of money and assets. He is not even a very famous monk," he said.
"When he came into the spotlight, I decide to speak out as I think his wealth is suspicious."
The Facebook post dates back three years ago, when Wg Cdr Piya was asked to find a seven-seat private jet for the monk to travel back and forth between Bangkok and Ubon Ratchathani.
The monk always paid in cash — about 300,000 baht for each rental, Wg Cdr Piya said.
The monk also showed interest in buying his own private jet, which can cost 500-700 million baht for a new plane and at least 100 million baht for a second-hand craft.
The monk often travelled in a super luxury Maybach-brand car and boasted that he had a Mercedes-Benz S500, a BMW X6 and a Mini Cooper just for driving inside the temple compound. He also claimed to have a yacht, Wg Cdr Piya said.
The monk also showed bundles of US$100 (3,129 baht) banknotes fully packed in his kitbag and claimed he also had gold bars inside, he said.
He showed two chequebooks of US banks with his name printed on every cheque.
The monk said he could withdraw more than $10 million for each cheque because he had a lot of money deposited in the banks, Wg Cdr Piya said.
He said he distanced himself from Luang Pu Nen Kham after the monk asked him to buy a private jet in the US. The monk also used to ask the pilot to carry his kitbag when he passed immigration checkpoints.
"I am not afraid of being charged at all after revealing this issue. I wrote what I had seen with my own eyes. I do not want to see a person who exploited Buddhists' faith to obtain money to remain at large," the pilot said.
Meanwhile, a former close aide of Phra Wirapol told the Department of Special Investigation Sunday the monk had drunk alcohol, taken illicit drugs and had sex with many teenage girls.
Pol Lt Col Pong-in Intarakhao, chief of the agency's Security Crime Bureau, Sunday led a team of DSI investigators to interrogate witnesses in Si Sa Ket province.
One of the witnesses, who was a former close aide of the monk, told the DSI the monk had brought his luxury cars to be repaired at his garage in Ubon Ratchathani.
The monk also used the garage as a venue for drinking alcohol, viewing porn videos, taking drugs, and having sexual affairs with many young women, Pol Lt Col Pong-in said after interrogating the 56-year-old witness for about one hour.
The monk is under investigation by the DSI for allegedly having intimate relationships with several women, with one of them claiming he had fathered her child.
The Crime Suppression Division (CSD) will ask the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) to investigate the sources of money and assets belonging to the monk.
The division will tomorrow share information regarding the monk's finances with the ONCB secretary-general, deputy CSD chief Prasopchok Prommul said.
Pol Col Prasopchok Sunday led a team of CSD police to search the house of the monk's parents in Ubon Ratchathani's Phibun Mangsahan district.
However, Rath Sukphol and his wife Sudjai, the monk's parents, did not allow the search. A source said the house was worth about 100 million baht.
The CSD team later went to search the monk's Santitham Baramee monastery, covering 28 rai in the same district. but could not enter as the gate was locked.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/3 ... e-revealed
The photo in the article says it all...
:spy:

And the following article uncovers the deeper roots of the corruption and the reasons why some powerful figures have been protecting LP Nenkham:


Jet-setting monk flies into turbulence

As Luang Pu Nen Kham postpones his return from France indefinitely, his followers are desperately trying to defend him from mounting accusations of money laundering, fraud and sexual misconduct
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/358718
Last edited by gavesako on Mon Jul 08, 2013 7:57 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Monks in private jets pass test

Post by tiltbillings »

gavesako wrote: The photo in the article says it all...
Image

Sadness.
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

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Re: Monks in private jets pass test

Post by Bankei »

In an article today they mentioned DNA tests had been done using the DNA of Mr Nenkham's parents and the results should be out tomorrow - 10th.

And what is the story behing this monk with his foot on the table - photo was linked above
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/3 ... criticised


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gavesako
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Re: Monks in private jets pass test

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Here is the latest development of the LP Nenkham case as reported in Thai press:

http://bangkokpost.com/news/local/35893 ... frock-monk

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nationa ... 09997.html


The monk with his foot on the table is the controversial and eccentric LP Kasem who combines two approaches: accepting only the Tipitaka books and quoting them as the real teachings of the Buddha, and at the same time acting as a 'crazy wisdom' Zen master challenging people with outrageous behaviour (by Thai standards) such as throwing Buddha statues on the floor because they are not the real Buddha and so on. This will hardly convince the majority of the Thai Buddhists to study the Suttas more.
:soap:
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Re: Monks in private jets pass test

Post by Raksha »

The Thai media is full of monk scandals at the moment, but what really cuts me is the murder of ecology monks (phra nak anuraksa) by the Thai military who resent their obstruction of illegal logging. These reports almost never appear in the Thai media due to censorship. I'm told that the preferred method is to discharge a violent schizophrenic from hospital, drug them and arm them with a machete, then push them into the forest monk's kuti!!! To my mind, all other Thai corruption scandals pale in comparison with these crimes.
Anyway, on a slightly lighter note, here is the most infamous of the current 'monk scandal' videos...
(Apart from anything else the abbot paid just $12)
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suriyopama
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Re: Monks in private jets pass test

Post by suriyopama »

The Criminal Court of Thailand has rejected the documentation and evidences that Luang Pu Issara from Wat Onoi presented, because he is not the direct victim of the alleged crimes!!
That is how Thai Justice works...

Luang Pu was presenting evidences about the ramifications and extensions of the fraud (that can not be the work of one man alone)

News in Thai: http://manager.co.th/Crime/ViewNews.asp ... 0000083661

BKK post also mentions it: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/3 ... monk-cases
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gavesako
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Re: Monks in private jets pass test

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So this humble boy from Ubon who calls himself Nenkham managed to buy 22 Benz cars within only 2 years which cost him about 95 million baht ... without anybody from the Dhammayut administration noticing or blinking an eye, of course. The DSI investigators are taking DNA samples from his 'wife' and child.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/3 ... n-mercedes

Here are photocopies of his passport and visas, which had to be approved by senior monks in Bangkok so that he could travel on a 'religious mission' abroad. And some nice pics with his own house in America where he might be heading next:
http://hilight.kapook.com/view/88425

The Department of Special Investigation is pushing for the termination of Luang Pu Nenkham's status as a monk and the cancellation of his passport.
"We will officially ask the Supreme Sangha Council and the National Office of Buddhism to do this," DSI chief Tarit Pengdith said yesterday. Nopparat said the process to terminating his monastic status could be completed within two days.
"The National Office of Buddhism will also be asked to contact the Foreign Ministry to arrange the revocation of his passport," Tarit added.

http://nationmultimedia.com/national/DS ... 10068.html
Last edited by gavesako on Wed Jul 10, 2013 5:28 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Monks in private jets pass test

Post by Bankei »

Raksha wrote:The Thai media is full of monk scandals at the moment, but what really cuts me is the murder of ecology monks (phra nak anuraksa) by the Thai military who resent their obstruction of illegal logging. These reports almost never appear in the Thai media due to censorship. I'm told that the preferred method is to discharge a violent schizophrenic from hospital, drug them and arm them with a machete, then push them into the forest monk's kuti!!! To my mind, all other Thai corruption scandals pale in comparison with these crimes.
Anyway, on a slightly lighter note, here is the most infamous of the current 'monk scandal' videos...
(Apart from anything else the abbot paid just $12)
Was that an abbot?

No denying that he didn't do anything based on the video evidence!
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Re: Monks in private jets pass test

Post by BlackBird »

Bankei wrote:
Raksha wrote:The Thai media is full of monk scandals at the moment, but what really cuts me is the murder of ecology monks (phra nak anuraksa) by the Thai military who resent their obstruction of illegal logging. These reports almost never appear in the Thai media due to censorship. I'm told that the preferred method is to discharge a violent schizophrenic from hospital, drug them and arm them with a machete, then push them into the forest monk's kuti!!! To my mind, all other Thai corruption scandals pale in comparison with these crimes.
Anyway, on a slightly lighter note, here is the most infamous of the current 'monk scandal' videos...
(Apart from anything else the abbot paid just $12)
Was that an abbot?

No denying that he didn't do anything based on the video evidence!
Clearly Parajika. Could anyone who speaks Thai give a translation of what is being said in this video?

Our other fake-monk 'Luang por' Nen Kham is going to be up on sexual assault charges soon:
http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2013/07/08/l ... lt-charges

Once they catch him they should remove his robes (which he has no right to be wearing) and put him in another outfit of an orange colour - A prison uniform ;)

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Bankei
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Re: Monks in private jets pass test

Post by Bankei »

Jack,

Police asked the man what wat he is from - 'nong lua' sounds like
Asked the girl how old - 21
what were they doing....... silence
Were you sleeping with the monk .........yes
how much did he pay...........400B

etc
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gavesako
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Re: Monks in private jets pass test

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Scandal-hit monk seems to be a master of marketing

Luang Pu Nenkham is a controversial monk today. But months ago, thousands of people held complete faith in him.
How did he manage to command their overwhelming respect and support? The answer might be as simple as a well-crafted marketing plan.

It all began many years ago when someone in his close circle reportedly took notice of people wondering why he looked much older in a photo than his true age, then decided to spread a story that he was born to liberate Buddhists from the chain of suffering.

Since the rumours circulated, the monk has attracted a huge following. He came to be called a "Luang Pu" - a title usually reserved for a monk old enough to be a grandfather, instead of a man still in his 30s today.

His Dharma books boosted his fame even further. Some of them, like "Chart Na Mai Khor Ma Kerd" (I shall not be born again) and "Nippan Mee Jing" (Nirvana exists), became bestsellers.

His PR team continued to churn out propaganda, such as that Luang Pu Nenkham was a direct disciple of Lord Buddha but had sinned in Heaven and was sent back to the mortal world, or that people who made merit with Luang Pu Nenkham could join him on his ascent back to Heaven.

Luang Pu Nenkham also made a similar claim in his sermons.

"In Lord Buddha's life, I was among his 400 disciples. All of my friends became arahant [one who has reached the highest stage of enlightenment]. Because I was the only one who had not yet attained that state, I was instructed to be born for one last time and in this life, I shall lead you all on the path to nirvana," he said. (...)

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nationa ... 10226.html

:soap:


Department of Special Investigation (DSI) investigators yesterday managed to get a DNA sample from Luang Pu Nenkham's half brother, while further investigation found that the monk had bought a total of 35 cars in Ubon Ratchathani.
These cars are in addition to the 22 luxury cars the monk allegedly bought.
Meanwhile, the woman who claims to have had a sexual relationship with the monk since she was 14 was led to a Si Sa Ket court yesterday by lawyer Somchai Wongthanathorn to file a criminal lawsuit. In the lawsuit, the monk faces four charges, including statutory rape of a minor and taking a minor from the care of her parents. The woman also alleges that Luang Pu Nenkham is the father of her 11-year-old son.
DSI chief Tarit Pengdith said his agency would look to see who the monk, also known as Phra Weerapol Sukpol, had given the 35 cars to. The cars were purchased under Phra Weerapol's name. As to whether those who took the cars would be considered wrongdoers, Tarit said it depends very much on their intention. If these cars were accepted for simple monastic use, then the investigators would ensure the recipients don't get wrongly punished.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nationa ... 10224.html
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Re: Monks in private jets pass test

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Interesting to follow the legal side of this case and study the way in which the Thai monastic law operates abroad:

Monk says temples in Europe will take him: supporter

Luang Pu Nenkham dismissed a threat by Thai monastic authorities to expel him and claimed Buddhist temples in France and Germany were ready to take him in. He said he would return to Thailand on July 31 with "bigger greatness", key follower Sukhum Wongprasit said yesterday.
The Office of National Buddhism chief Nopparat Benjawatananun warned, however, that such a move was impractical and would still end up with the monk lacking authority or being unsupervised, because temples overseas weren't under Thai law or the Buddhist Order Act.
A transfer of supervision needed permission from the previous supervisor as well as an official letter from the new supervising temple, he said.
Sukhum yesterday submitted a request for justice to the Supreme Patriarch's Secretary's Office at Wat Bovornniwet but it was turned down on grounds that he didn't make an appointment and he wasn't a "damaged party". He also lacked a proper letter to show he had permission to act on the monk's behalf.
So Sukhum gave the letter to Wat Bovornniwet abbot assistant Phra Thepsarnvethi, who said he would present it to Acting Dhammayut order head, Somdej Phra Wannarat, although there is a procedure in the Sangha chain of command to handle such issues. (...)
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nationa ... 10301.html


It is obvious that Thai authorities cannot ask for Nenkham's extradition from USA merely on the basis of the Sangha Act, but have to use other criminal charges against him:

Si Sa Ket monastic authorities say 'Luang Pu Nenkham' defrocked

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will today consider whether to seek a warrant for the arrest of the jet-setting former monk known as Luang Pu Nenkham for alleged statutory rape and money laundering.
A warrant could lead to the extradition of the monk - also known as Phra Wirapol Sukpol - who is believed to be living in the United States and has refused to return to Thailand as long as there is "no justice" for him.
The DSI move came after Si Sa Ket's monastic authorities yesterday announced that Luang Pu Nenkham was no longer a monk.
A monastic disciplinary-probe team met at Wat Pa Sri Samran in the province yesterday. After the meeting, the Si Sa Ket monastic chief's secretary Phra Khru Wacharasitthikhun said the team considered information from the DSI and the Office of National Buddhism, as well as the case of a woman who had revealed an alleged sexual relationship with Luang Pu Nenkham. It was agreed at the meeting that he would be expelled from the monkhood. Phra Khru Wacharasitthikhun said the officials could proceed with legal action against the monk.
DSI chief Tarit Pengdith said the agency was considering seeking an arrest warrant for statutory rape, as the woman who claimed to have had a sexual relationship with Luang Pu Nenkham from the time she was 14 until they had a child together would officially file a compliant with the DSI.
Retrieval of allegedly embezzled assets could be a lengthy task because many had been moved, Tarit said. But he said the department would try to retrieve as many as possible.
Tarit said the DSI would also contact related agencies regarding procedures to extradite the monk back to Thailand, pointing out that other countries gave importance to child-molestation and money-laundering cases.
Pol Lt-Colonel Korrawat Panprapakorn, director of the DSI's Bureau of Regional Operations Centre, said investigators tracing the monk's car purchases suspected he had bought at least 100 vehicles. The DSI would try to retrieve them all and summon those involved in the purchases to give information.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nationa ... 10355.html


Thai 'missionary' (dhammaduta) monks going abroad carry a special diplomatic passport, not an ordinary Thai passport, so they enjoy a different status ... as long as it lasts.
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Re: Monks in private jets pass test

Post by forestmat »

gavesako wrote:Interesting to follow the legal side of this case and study the way in which the Thai monastic law operates abroad:

Thai 'missionary' (dhammaduta) monks going abroad carry a special diplomatic passport, not an ordinary Thai passport, so they enjoy a different status ... as long as it lasts.
Nammasakarn Tahn Ajahn Gavesako,

I don't believe Mr. Wirapol Sukphol (formerly known as Luang Pu Nen Kham) was ever granted the status of being a dhammaduta monk was he?
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Re: Monks in private jets pass test

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forestmat wrote:I don't believe Mr. Wirapol Sukphol (formerly known as Luang Pu Nen Kham) was ever granted the status of being a dhammaduta monk was he?
Yesterday evening, the web of Wat Thai Las Vegas http://www.alittlebuddha.com/ was displaying pictures of his passport, his American Visa, and an invitation letter from Ajahn Pankao Nyanadharo (Wat Bodhinyanarama in France) issued in order to request the European Schengen Visa. Now those pictures, with many other documents, have disappeared. Perhaps it was illegal to display that personal data on the web.

Anyway, it seems that the DSI is going to ask the US to cancel his visa
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nationa ... 10423.html
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Re: Monks in private jets pass test

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suriyopama wrote:
forestmat wrote:I don't believe Mr. Wirapol Sukphol (formerly known as Luang Pu Nen Kham) was ever granted the status of being a dhammaduta monk was he?
Yesterday evening, the web of Wat Thai Las Vegas http://www.alittlebuddha.com/ was displaying pictures of his passport, his American Visa, and an invitation letter from Ajahn Pankao Nyanadharo (Wat Bodhinyanarama in France) issued in order to request the European Schengen Visa. Now those pictures, with many other documents, have disappeared. Perhaps it was illegal to display that personal data on the web.

Anyway, it seems that the DSI is going to ask the US to cancel his visa
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nationa ... 10423.html
Yes I saw those documents too - but still don't believe that Wirapol Sukphol was ever a dhammaduta monk was he?

I doubt very much if Mr. Sukpol ever attended 'The Training Institute for Dhammaduta Bhikkhus Going Abroad' - but I may be mistaken.
Hartridge Buddhist Monastery, Devon, England
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