PATHUM THANI, THAILAND – A German court ruling shifted the course of a multimillion-baht scandal that had put a well-known abbot under intense pressure.
Millions meant for German association diverted
A lawyer for the Na Pa Pong monastery in Pathum Thani fought to defend the reputation of its abbot. He submitted evidence to the Thai police that he said exposed a serious act of misconduct involving donated funds. The case concerned 12.2 million baht that had been earmarked for charitable purposes.
According to the lawyer, the money was intended to help establish a foundation in Germany to promote Buddhist teachings. Instead of supporting religious education, a large portion of the funds allegedly disappeared into opaque channels. A woman in Germany was at the center of the controversy over the missing donations.
German judges order repayment
Judicial authorities in Germany had already handed down a tough civil ruling in the case. The court decided that a woman and her associates must repay about 200,000 euros, equivalent to roughly eight million baht, which had been unlawfully retained. This amount formed a significant share of the disputed donations.
Investigations in Germany found that the money never reached the private bank account of the abbot. Instead, the woman allegedly diverted the funds for her own purposes. On this basis, the suspicion directed at the cleric was effectively dispelled.
Abbot fights to restore his honor
Lawyer Nanthan Inthanon stated that Abbot Phra Ajarn Kukrit was entirely innocent of the accusations. He argued that the allegations were false and based on lies spread about the monk. The abbot himself had filed the lawsuit against the woman in Germany.
In Thailand, the monastery now hoped for justice from the national police leadership. Court papers from Germany were intended to show that the monk had been the victim of a devious deception. According to the lawyer, the abbot only wished to do good but was deeply disappointed by the outcome.
Criminal investigation in Germany continues
Beyond the civil case, further legal consequences still awaited the woman in Germany. Criminal proceedings there were continuing against her. The investigation focused on the alleged embezzlement of donated funds.
The lawyer called on the Thai state to end its own investigations targeting the abbot. He argued that the evidence from Europe carried significant weight and completely exonerated the monk. The case, he said, illustrated how trust could be ruthlessly exploited.
“Can you ever trust a person again if they have so massively betrayed you over your money and your reputation?”
said the article’s commentary.
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