Jet-setting monk given more jail time

BANGKOK — A former Buddhist monk known for his jet-set lifestyle has been sent to prison for 16 years in Thailand for raping a teenage girl whom he also got pregnant.

Wirapol Sukphol became infamous when he appeared in a 2013 YouTube video in his monk’s robe aboard a private jet wearing aviator sunglasses with a Louis Vuitton carry-on case by his side.

He was defrocked amid accusations that he had sexual relations with women — a major violation of the precepts guiding monks’ behaviour. He fled to the United States, where he was arrested in 2016 and extradited last year. On Wednesday, the Ratchada Criminal Court in Bangkok handed Wirapol two eight-year prison terms, one for abducting a minor under 15 and another for rape.

Wirapol is already serving a lengthy prison sentence. In August, the same court sentenced him to 114 years in connection with funds he fraudulently raised from followers.

He was found guilty of fraud, money laundering and violation of the computer crime act for spending money he had solicited for Buddhist statuary and temple improvements on cars and luxury goods.

Legal technicalities capped the 114-year sentence at 20 years, meaning Wirapol will serve a 36-year prison sentence.

Wednesday’s court ruling said prosecutors charged that Wirapol abducted a 14-year-old girl and sexually assaulted her from January 2000 to the middle of 2001, during which time she became pregnant.

The victim, now 32, said she was satisfied with Wednesday’s sentencing. She said she would present the ruling to the Sisaket Juvenile and Family Court, where she has filed a lawsuit against Wirapol requesting 40 million baht ($1.6 million Cdn) in child support.

According to Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation, in a shopping spree from 2009 to 2011, Wirapol bought 22 Mercedes-Benz cars.