Bangkok: The Department of Special Investigation is preparing to examine the certificate of "Luang Pho Alongkot" to unravel the mystery behind his ordination. The Office of Buddhism is set to meet with the preceptor to verify the 13-digit number on his certificate, after finding several discrepancies in the information that match those of a civil servant who died two years ago.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Inthaporn Chan-iam, Director of the National Office of Buddhism, discussed the progress of the investigation into Luang Por Longkot's ordination. He stated that the current record, a copy of the ordination certificate issued by the preceptor in 1986, does not yet confirm whether the 13-digit number matches the deceased's. At that time, screening for ordination applicants required only a completed ordination application and a certified document from a reliable person, such as the village headman or the applicant's parents. This document is then entered into the Saththiviharika Register, which the preceptor uses to control the ordination certificates issued to monks ordained by him.
The Lopburi Provincial Office of Buddhism is collaborating with relevant agencies to address various doubts. The Department of Religious Affairs will conduct an investigation with the governing Sangha and meet with the preceptor who ordained Luang Por Alongkot to provide clearer information. Any irregularities will be forwarded to the Sangha for consideration of measures or punishments.
Mr. Inthaporn further explained that the Department of Local Administration has established a database of over 280,000 monks, combining the Department of Provincial Administration's birth registration data with ordination certificates and national identification cards for verification, beginning in 2018. Historically, monks used ordination certificates in place of national identification cards, leading to data loss. Currently, both ordination certificates and national registration data are required for screening and verification. Monks must use their national identification cards in conjunction with ordination certificates to exercise Gold Card rights, open bank accounts, and conduct transactions.