Nenkham family to face questioning
Play
Brother who claims to be father of 11-year-old will also be tested, DSI says
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is summoning the parents of former monk Wirapol Sukphol, better known as Luang Pu Nenkham, along with one of his younger brothers for questioning and DNA tests.
They are required to report to the DSI headquarters on Wednesday.
“Their DNA will be compared to that of the boy whose mother says he is the son of Nenkham,” Pol Lt-Colonel Pong-in Intarakhao said yesterday in his capacity as the director of DSI Bureau of Security Crime.
Wirapol was a well-known monk for several years before a scandal about his taste for luxury and fraudulent activities erupted recently. He finally lost his monk’s status.
The DSI is now pursuing several charges against him, including the statutory rape of a minor. The woman who claims that he fathered a child with her was just 14 when the monk allegedly had sexual relations with her.
As Wirapol is not in Thailand at present, the DNA tests will have to be conducted on his parents. Since the former monk’s younger brother claims he fathered the child in question, the DSI wants him to undergo a DNA test as well.
Meanwhile, the young mother pulled her son out of school out of concerns for his safety. Both she and her son are now under the DSI witness-protection programme. Even though she had faith in the school, she was still worried.
“Some people might not understand us and may want to harm us,” the young woman said. Her is son is now 11.
Pong-in said Nenkham’s claim that he built a replica of the Emerald Buddha as an excuse to seek donations could be considered public fraud.
“Tests have showed that the statue was not made of jade as claimed,” he said.
Meanwhile, Phra Khru Dhammadhorn Khamkhai has been named the abbot of Wat Pa Khanti Dhamma after Nenkham was defrocked.
Now there are only six resident monks at the monastery and a few of them are refusing to follow the new abbot’s orders to collect morning alms round and attend prayers.
“Over time, the locals will see by themselves which monks deserve respect,” Phra Khru Dhammadhorn said.
