A Thai monk known for his jetset lifestyle faces charges of fraud, money laundering, and computer crime, but has escaped prosecution for underage sex because the statute of limitations on his alleged crimes has expired.
Wiraphon Sukphon, 37, better known by his Buddhist name Nen Kham, was being questioned by detectives in Bangkok this morning, a day after his arrest following extradition from the United States.
He was “disrobed”, or stripped of his monastic status, and faces formal charges later. “The attorney-general will indict Wiraphon today and advise the court to oppose bail because he poses a flight risk,” said Somuk Siengkong, a spokesman for the attorney-general’s office.
The Thai authorities have been on Mr Wiraphon’s trail since 2013 following the appearance of a notorious internet video, which outraged many Thais. On it, the monk and two monastic brothers were seen wearing designer sunglasses and carrying Louis Vuitton bags.
Investigations revealed huge unexplained assets held in Mr Wiraphon’s name in 41 different bank accounts, as well as luxury cars, including a Porsche and a Mercedes. During their investigation, police have suspended 2 billion baht (£46 million) in deposits in his name, as well as property.
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Prosecutors believe that he redirected and embezzled money donated by Buddhist worshippers for his own personal use.
Most damagingly, a woman accuses him of having sex with her when she was under the age of consent, and fathering her child. She has offered to support her claim with DNA tests, but the 15-year statute of limitations on the crime, which allegedly took place in 2001, expired last year.
In Thailand, Buddhist monks take vows of celibacy. Mr Wiraphon insists that a video of a man resembling him in the act of sex with a woman actually shows his brother. He has denied all the other accusations made against him.