Phra Dhammachayo of the Dhammakaya Temple failed to appear today at the Department of Special Investigations to discuss allegations of tainted donations from a credit union, saying he didn’t feel well and would try to make it later this month.
The abbot of the scandal-prone movement was asked to appear to discuss donations which were allegedly addressed directly to him from the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative, which fell under scrutiny two years ago for a massive embezzlement scandal and alleged fraud involving billions of baht.
The DSI asked the abbot to show up in person today; however, his lawyer Samphan Sermcheep arrived to inform investigators his boss’ diabetes and blood pressure precluded his appearance today. Reports the temple intended to return any of the money were entirely false, Samphan added.
Phra Kru Paladwijahn, another monk also being investigated in relation to the scandal, also failed to appear at the DSI yesterday and requested postponement until March 19.
According to The Nation, available evidence suggests that the two received THB400 million directly from Supachai Srisupa-suksorn, who was president of the credit union at the time and now stands accused of making off with about THB10 billion of its customers’ money.
Related:
Dhammakaya turns 45 in shadow of new scandal
Photo: Dhammakaya Foundation
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