Bangkok: The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior has confirmed that the ID cards of Luang Por Alongkot and Alongkot Pholmuk have different numbers and belong to separate individuals. This clarification comes amidst confusion over the national ID number of Luang Por Alongkot, a former abbot, appearing to match that of the deceased Mr. Alongkot Pholmuk, a former Royal Irrigation Department official.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Arsasit Sampantharat, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, stated that it is impossible for the Department of Provincial Administration to have duplicate ID numbers. He explained that the discrepancy arose from the difference in the names, specifically the presence of a "u" vowel in Luang Por Alongkot's maiden name, which differentiates it from Mr. Pholmuk's ID. The Ministry has ordered further investigations into the matter to ensure no legal discrepancies exist, with results expected within two weeks.
The Permanent Secretary emphasized that the individuals, Luang Por Alongkot, born in 1960, and Mr. Alongkot, born in 1962, are distinct, with separate ID cards. He addressed concerns about potential misuse of the ID number for transactions and official documents, asserting that the original ID number was validly issued. However, should any inaccuracies be identified, appropriate legal measures will be undertaken.
Regarding the Wat Phra Bat Nam Phu Athaprachanat Fund's use of deceased individuals' ID numbers to open a PromptPay account, Mr. Arsit highlighted the necessity of investigating the reasons behind such actions. He noted that the ID numbers of Luang Por Alongkot are different, and the people involved need to be scrutinized to ensure accountability.
When queried about security officials requesting information, Mr. Arsit mentioned that the Department of Provincial Administration is the agency responsible for handling the issue, and any developments will be communicated to the Ministry of Interior.