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Jet-setting Thai monk found to have bought 22 luxury cars
After discovering that Luang Pu Nenkham Chattigo, who also goes by the moniker Phra Weerapol Sukpol, spent 95 million baht (US$3 million) to buy 22 Mercedes Benz cars, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will also investigate to see if the monk was part of a money-laundering racket
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fter discovering that Luang Pu Nenkham Chattigo, who also goes by the moniker Phra Weerapol Sukpol, spent 95 million baht (US$3 million) to buy 22 Mercedes Benz cars, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will also investigate to see if the monk was part of a money-laundering racket.
DSI chief Tarit Pengdith said investigators had learned that between the years of 2008 and 2011, the monk had purchased 22 luxury cars in cash, of which 21 of them were in his own name. The 22nd car, worth 7.59 million baht ($243,000), was bought under the name of his disciple Pansaeng Chumang.
The DSI yesterday also conducted a DNA test on an 11-year-old boy in Si Sa Ket, who is believed to be the monk's son. Luang Pu Nenkham allegedly had a sexual relationship with the young boy's mother when she was only 14. The result of the test should be ready in two days.
The DSI has also tried contacting the monk's parents for DNA samples, and said if they did not cooperate, the agency will seek help from court. A DSI senior official said the agency will ensure justice for all sides.
Tarit said that according to the Central Institute of Forensic Science, the photograph depicting Luang Pu Nenkham lying next to a person believed to be a woman, had not been doctored. However, the institute is unable to confirm the other person's sex.
Saying Wat Or Noi abbot Luang Pu Buddha Issara would submit "confidential" information about the monk to DSI today, Tarit warned the monk's followers not to tamper with evidence or threaten witnesses or they could be charged for obstructing the authority.
According to the website www.alittlebuddha.com, Luang Pu Nenkham and his three companions had left France for the United States yesterday. The Foreign Ministry also said yesterday that they had not been asked to help locate the monk.
National Buddhism Office chief Nopparat Benjawatananun said if the report was true, they could contact US authorities for the monk's extradition. The office is also working on revoking the monk's passport.
