Bangkok: Police are investigating whether Wat Phra Bat Nam Phu has established a foundation to divert money. Pol. Col. Somroob, Deputy Commander of the Anti-Corruption Division, revealed progress in the Wat Phra Bat Nam Phu case, finding loopholes in the foundation's establishment that allowed for the temple's funds to be diverted. Currently, the entire foundation is being investigated.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Col. Somroob Thai Khiao, Deputy Commander of the Anti-Corruption Division (ACD), stated that further investigations are underway to determine whether the temple is involved in corruption. Regarding the temple's land, he will cooperate with the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division (NRECD) in the investigation. He also plans to investigate all foundations associated with the temple, as they are involved in temple assets.
From their investigations, authorities have found that some temples already have temple accounts, managed by the abbot and temple treasurer. All income, whether from cremation ceremonies, donations, or the sale of sacred objects, is considered temple money. However, some temples have established foundations to divert funds. If funds are directed to the foundation and the foundation's administrators use them for other purposes, the charges are light: embezzlement, a settlement-type offense that can be settled. If temple funds are misappropriated by the abbot or temple treasurer, the penalties are more severe.
Pol. Col. Somroob personally believes that establishing a temple foundation presents a loophole. Using funds from a foundation account is considered easier than using temple funds, which requires a petition or a request for disbursement, similar to the government's financial system. However, if an investigation reveals that temple funds were transferred to the foundation and then taken out, this is also considered a crime. He urges the agencies overseeing foundations, such as the Ministry of Interior and the Office of National Buddhism, to investigate this matter more closely.