Temple fraud in 60 million baht funeral alleged

In 60 million baht funeral rites for revered monk Somdej Kiew, new evidence allegedly shows that Wat Sa Ket abbot diverted state funds to family's housing project in Ayutthaya.

The funeral ceremony and cremation (by royal fire) of Somdej Phra Buddhacharn, also known as Somdej Kiew, took place last March 7-10 at Wat Sa Ket. Photo shows the procession carrying the remains of the late monk to the temple for cremation. (Screen capture from DMC TV, photo from National Archives)

RELIGION

OAG uncovers fraud in B60m funeral rites

Wat Sa Ket abbot 'diverted state funds'
29/12/2014
Post Reporters

Somdej Phra Buddhacharn, also known as Somdej Kiew, died Aug 10, 2013. His cremation was held last March.

The Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) has found spending irregularities in a budget of more than 60 million baht for the funeral rites of Somdej Phra Buddhacharn, also known as Somdej Kiew.

.. initial investigations into financial irregularities had found evidence of fraud.

Somdej Phra Buddhacharn, also known as Somdej Kiew, died Aug 10, 2013. His cremation was held last March.

...a complaint has been lodged against Phra Phromsuthi, the abbot of Wat Sa Ket.

...Phra Phromsuthi has been accused of embezzling money for the rites, by diverting it to a housing project for the monk's relatives in Ayutthaya province.

...The cremation (by royal flame) was performed on March 9 at Wat Thepsirintrawas temple.

The Yingluck Shinawatra cabinet on Jan 21 approved a budget of 67 million baht for the rites....

...requests were made for expenditure reports and budget documents for the funeral rites, but the abbot failed to provide them.

... a letter was handed over to the Supreme Patriarch Somdej Phra Maha Ratchamangalacharn, asking him to pressure Phra Phromsuthi to give him the documents. He was eventually successful.

Unusual financial activities were found in a budget of 15 million baht spent on Tripitaka books distributed at the funeral and a budget of 11 million baht spent on sets of altar tables that will be given to temples...

A fraud inquiry by the NACC found state agencies and the private sector actually donated sets of altar tables via the organiser of the rites...

...the investigation will be expanded to cover expenditure and donations made by people who attended the event.

... a report on the financial irregularities has been submitted to the Supreme Patriarch...

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/452737/oag-uncovers-fraud-in-b60m-funeral-rites

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