Fugitive monk Nen Kham arrested in US
Before fleeing to US 380 million baht seized from monk's bank accounts, ex-monk faces underage sex, kidnapping & money laundering charges.
Before fleeing to US 380 million baht seized from monk's bank accounts, ex-monk faces underage sex, kidnapping & money laundering charges.
RELIGION, FRAUD & EXTRADITION
Fugitive monk Nen Kham arrested in US
22/07/2016
King-oua Laohong
Disgraced ex-monk Wirapol Sukphol, formerly known as Luang Pu Nen Kham, has been arrested by US authorities three years after he fled Thailand with police hot on his heels.
Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief Paisit Wongmuang said on Friday that US authorities notified the department this morning they had arrested the fugitive.
The infamous former monk Luang Pu Nen Kham is wanted by the DSI on charges of breaching the Computer Crimes Act, money laundering, child abduction and raping a girl aged below 15.
The DSI and the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) had worked closely in seeking his extradition.
Video footage of Wirapol Sukphol, formerly monk Luang Pu Nen Kham travelling on a private jet carrying an expensive designer bag started a major scandal back in 2013 that eventually led him to abroad. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) revealed on Friday that the disgraced fugitive has been in the US.
EXTRADITION CASE IN US WILL TAKE TIME
“We will await for the US court to notify us what charges the suspect is facing," the DSI chief said.
"He will be allowed to exercise his right to appeal our extradition request and to fight the case before being sent back to Thailand."
"This process requires a certain period of time."
GAINED NOTORIETY AS THE JET-SETTING MONK
Mr Wirapol, known as the jet-setting monk, gained notoriety in 2013 following the release of video footage showing him travelling aboard a private jet while still a monk.
He was carrying a Louis Vuitton luxury bag, wore brand-name sunglasses and was found to own more than 100 luxury cars and numerous large blocks of land.
The Crime Suppression Division searches three houses owned by the parents of disgraced monk Phra Wirapol Sukphol in Ubon Ratchathani.
He fled Thailand that year and was reported to have taken refuge in France before moving to the US.
He was expelled from the monkhood in absentia after allegations of his criminal behaviour and high-flying lifestyle became public.
GOVT SEIZED 380 MILLION FROM MONK'S BANK ACCOUNTS
Authorities had seized a total of 380 million baht from his bank accounts, but he was able to take cash and gold out of the country, reports said.
DSI deputy chief Pol Lt Col Pong-in Intarakhao said later there was a high chance Mr Wirapol would be extradited back to Thailand for trial.
Authorities had already completed extradition procedures and issued the necessary documents, he said.
For now, the matter rests with the US court, Pol Lt Col Pong-in added.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1041789/fugitive-jet-setting-monk-nen-kham-arrested-in-us
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