Jet-setting monk to explain himself
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Luang Pu Nenkham, who has recently been at the centre of a lot of negative publicity, is getting ready to clarify his position on Sunday, the National Buddhism Office's director Nopparat Benjawatananun said yesterday.
“He will hold a press conference and I will be there to listen,” he added.
Luang Pu Nenkham landed in hot water after a video clip of him on board a private jet, sporting brand-name sunglasses and a Louis Vuitton bag went viral. More questions arose when a photograph of him lying next to a woman started doing the rounds on the Internet.
In addition, an activist lodged a complaint with the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) against the monk yesterday.
“I think his behaviour goes against the rules and beliefs of Buddhism,” said Songkran Achariyasap, who chairs a network that monitors activities considered detrimental to national agenda, religion or monarchy.
Songkran, armed with documents and photographs, met CSD deputy commander Colonel Prasopchoke Prommoon yesterday. The CSD has agreed to investigate his claims.
“I have already assigned investigators to launch a probe. I will release the probe results at a later date,” Prasopchoke said.
Songkran wants the division to investigate the case on 13 fronts, including Luang Pu Nenkham’s status as a monk; his assets and the assets of those close to him; his donation campaigns; as well as his relationship with the woman seen lying next to him in the photo.
The activist also urged the CSD to check the background of people working for Khantitham Khao Na Co Ltd, a company linked to Wat Pa Khantitham, where Luang Pu Nenkham allegedly serves as abbot.
The temple is located on a plot donated by Lon Manas, who now wants it back. The 68-year-old donor said she had given the land to the monk in the hope that he would build a proper temple.
“More than 10 years have passed and he has still failed to construct a temple,” she said.
Lon added that when she asked Luang Pu Nenkham about what had happened, he told her that if Wat Pa Khantitham gets registered as a temple, he would be subject to all kinds of scrutiny and so had decided against it.
“So, I will try to take the land back and ask other monks to help set up a temple instead,” she said.
Nopparat said Lon had the right to lodge a complaint and hand the land over to other monks.
