Pathum thani: The Crime Suppression Division is accelerating its investigation into the financial connections of a renowned temple located in Pathum Thani. This development follows revelations by Charoonkiat Pankaew, Deputy Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), after a meeting with Ananchai Chaidej, President of the Army Lawyers Foundation.
According to Thai News Agency, the meeting between Charoonkiat and Ananchai, which lasted approximately an hour, was prompted by evidence related to the financial activities of a monk at the temple. The case involves allegations of misconduct by an official, filed by a German woman through her legal representatives, and has been forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for further action.
The Crime Suppression Division has been tasked with scrutinizing the temple's financial dealings from 2013 to 2016. While specific details remain confidential, it has been disclosed that the investigation uncovered a cash flow amounting to around 500 million baht. Some of the evidence provided by lawyer Ananchai is under dispute; however, additional information from the complainant's lawyer pertains to the temple's financial records and evidence of reimbursements to the victim.
As of now, the temple has not cooperated in providing information. Earlier statements by the temple's legal team have focused on the establishment of a foundation in Germany, a matter considered separate from the ongoing investigation.