CSD to submit investigation report on temple fraud case

The police are set to submit its reports on their investigation into embezzlement cases involving 15 temples to prosecutors next week.

Prayut Bejraguna, deputy spokesman of the Office of the Attorney-General, said Crime Suppression Division (CSD) commander Maitree Chimcherd and other officers came to meet chief of Department of Corruption Litigation, Wichian Thanompichai, to discuss details yesterday. The discussion was held to ensure the investigation is watertight, he said.

Mr Prayut said the prosecutors will decide on an indictment. The reports will likely be forwarded after Mr Wichian is replaced next week in the annual reshuffle.

The reports will be handed to the new chief of the department before the material is passed to prosecutors. The reports are expected to go to prosecutors next week after the new chief has seen them.

Pol Col Warayut Sukkhawat, deputy chief of Police’s Counter-Corruption Division (CCD), said his agency is responsible for probing the cases involving 12 temples, while the CSD is responsible for cases relating to the other three temples.

The temple fund embezzlement scandal erupted in May when six senior monks were arrested and defrocked in connection to it.

Monks at three famous temples in Bangkok were accused of money laundering after they siphoned money to other accounts or used the funds for unnecessary purposes, such as carrying out PR campaigns at inflated prices.

The embezzlement was also carried out through collaboration between temples and officials at the NOB. These officials would contact temples to create and request funding for projects.