Thread: Buddhism Official Caught Siphoning Temple Cash

The director of the Songkhla Provincial Office of Buddhism has been arrested for allegedly pocketing 3.2 million baht from the budget of a temple in Narathiwat province.

Sathien Damrongrat was captured on Friday after Phra Khru Borihan Sangathanuwat, secretary of Wat Chontharawas in Rangae district of Narathiwat, handed him 3.2 million baht in cash in a Tesco Lotus parking lot in Muang district of Songkhla.

Songkhla police who had set up the sting apprehended Mr Sathien as he was about to get into a van with the money, said Lt Col Korntip Darote, deputy secretary-general of the Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC).

The joint operation by the PACC, police and Budget Bureau officials began on Thursday after Mr Sathien telephoned the monk to tell him that 4 million baht had been wired to the temple's bank account. The money was intended for the temple to use for activities to promote the religion.

According to investigators, Mr Sathien instructed the monk to keep only 800,000 baht and return the rest to him for other temples to use. He then set a time and place for the cash handover.

The monk contacted the Budget Bureau to verify details of the budget ...

Buddhism office chief faces graft charges | Bangkok Post: news

That never happens....

[nothing short of a racket]