Bangkok: 'Big Tao' has reached an understanding with the Office of Buddhism to propel the investigation of the 'Golf' case forward, with plans to scrutinize high-ranking monks implicated in the misappropriation of donation funds totaling hundreds of millions for religious site construction.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Lt. Col. Charoonkiat Pankaew, deputy commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, disclosed updates on the case. On July 17, officers from the Anti-Corruption Division (ACD) pursued financial documentation from Wat Prayurawongsawas Worawihan. The police aim to examine the temple's financial activities over the past three years, as the assistant abbot is linked with Ms. Golf. The criminal investigation will run concurrently with monastic disciplinary inquiries, ensuring fairness to all parties. The involvement of the abbot remains uncertain, with initial investigations focusing on 13 monks before potentially extending to the abbot, who holds a directorial position at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University. Tid Prasit, a subordinate in both institutions, is also under scrutiny. Should evidence implicate anyone, decisive action will be taken.
The police confirmed evidence of donation money being delivered to Ms. Golf via a pickup truck on multiple occasions. There are witnesses aware of connections between Tid Prasit and Ms. Golf. Whether the funds are donations or personal, a thorough investigation of the financial trail is underway, extending beyond monks who have disrobed to include laypeople or close associates possibly involved in corruption. The ongoing probe involves summoning individuals like Phra Khru Srirattanawichian, or 'Phra Maha Yot Phet', the abbot of Wat Tha Bua Thong in Phichit Province, to provide information.
The partnership between the police and the National Office of Buddhism is marked by mutual understanding and sincerity. Acknowledging past challenges, both parties are committed to transparent operations, avoiding superficial agreements. Pol. Lt. Col. Charoonkiat stressed the absence of conflict in their collaboration.
In a related development, Pol. Col. Charoonkiat mentioned a separate issue involving a high-ranking monk accused of embezzling funds intended for a religious site's construction, also entangled with a laywoman. This matter, long reported to the Religious Maintenance Center, involves donations in the hundreds of millions and remains under police investigation. Despite an initial finding of defamation, the police are gathering evidence for potential criminal prosecution. The implicated monk holds a higher ecclesiastical rank compared to Ms. Golf's case, and specific details regarding the temple or monk involved remain undisclosed as the investigation progresses.