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Wiraphon Sukphon, the jet-set monk, questioned in Bangkok over child sex claims

The Buddhist monk Wiraphon Sukphon in Bangkok yesterday after his extradition from the US
The Buddhist monk Wiraphon Sukphon in Bangkok yesterday after his extradition from the US
GETTY IMAGES

A Thai Buddhist leader known as the jet-set monk faces charges of fraud, money laundering and computer crime after being extradited from the US to Bangkok.

Wiraphon Sukphon, 37, better known by his Buddhist name Nen Kham, will also be questioned about claims of underage sex. He was arrested and disrobed, or stripped of his monastic status, yesterday.

The Thai authorities have been investigating Mr Wiraphon since 2013, when a video posted online showed the monk and two monastic brothers on an aircraft wearing designer sunglasses and carrying Louis Vuitton bags.

Prosecutors believe that he may have claimed to have supernatural gifts to win donations from wealthy patrons. He is also accused of embezzling money donated by worshippers. The authorities found that he had 41 bank accounts and have suspended assets worth millions of dollars, including property and luxury cars including a Porsche and a Mercedes.

A woman has accused him of having sex with her in 2001, when she was under the age of consent, and fathering her child. She has offered to support her claim with DNA tests. Mr Wiraphon, who has founded a temple in California, has denied all the accusations.

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