Bangkok: "Big Tao" remains tight-lipped about the identity of a senior monk implicated in a new case of embezzling donations and involving a laywoman. This development follows the notorious case of Golf, a monk accused of murder, which led to 13 high-ranking monks renouncing their monkhood. The police are still tracing the money trail from the Golf case, but a new investigation is underway. "Big Tao," otherwise known as Pol. Maj. Gen. Charoonkiat Pankaew, revealed that he is examining the conduct of a monk with a high ecclesiastical rank.
According to Thai News Agency, this new case is significant enough to be considered a sacrificial rite. It involves not just uncompleted religious site donations amounting to hundreds of millions of baht but also a laywoman. Pol. Maj. Gen. Charoonkiat Pankaew confirmed to reporters that a complaint was filed with the Religious Maintenance Center. It accuses a high-ranking monk of embezzling donations and having inappropriate involvement with a laywoman. While the offense is considered parajika, details such as the temple's name remain undisclosed. However, 'Big Tao' assured that revealing the monk's identity would shock everyone as he is a well-known figure.
Following 'Big Tao's' media interview, society has been abuzz, speculating on the ranks of senior monks higher than those involved in the Golf case. Professor Dr. Utis Siriwan, a seasoned researcher on temples and the Sangha, expressed his shock on Facebook after seeing three secret images related to the case. Similarly, Part Pae Praiwan Wanbut vowed on Facebook to shave her head and wear white clothes for seven days to honor the Triple Gem if one of the images turns out to be accurate.
Despite attempts to uncover hints, Ajarn Chaturong Jongasa urged caution, advising the public to remain calm and let 'Big Tao' manage the situation. He warned that premature reports or false claims about the monarchy could lead to trouble.
Ultimately, 'Big Tao' is at the helm of the investigation, and many await his findings to see if this case will indeed cause a significant upheaval in the religious community. Meanwhile, the Golf case progresses with ongoing investigations into the financial connections and missing temple accounts related to the 13 former monks linked to him.