More Monkey Business

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Thailand's head monk to be summoned by police over luxury Mercedes-Benz

 

By South East Asia correspondent Liam Cochrane

Updated about 4 hours ago

Police in Thailand say they will formally summon the country's most senior-ranking monk, after he refused to answer direct questions about his luxury 1958 Mercedes-Benz.

 

Key points:

• Monk reportedly transferred ownership of luxury car after scandal broke
  
• Police have warned Somdet Chuang an arrest warrant could be issued
  
• Chuang is linked to a popular brand of Thai Buddhism that encourages material wealth
  

The car was part of an extensive museum kept at Wat Paknam temple in Bangkok, but has now been seized by police investigating possible tax evasion.

Acting Supreme Patriarch Somdet Phra Maha Ratchamangalacharn, better known as Somdet Chuang, reportedly transferred ownership of the luxury vehicle to another monk after the scandal broke.

Officers from Thailand's Department of Special Investigations met with Mr Chuang and his lawyer on March 16.

The police officers brought gifts of candles and incense as a show of respect to the religious leader.

Staff at the temple also asked police to hand over their mobile phones before the meeting.

However, investigators were not pleased when Mr Chuang refused to answer their inquiries directly, instead insisting written questions be sent to his lawyer.

"This is a criminal case ... [but] he didn't allow us to question him," Justice Minister General Paiboon Koomchaya said.

"If he doesn't show up after the summons, then we have to issue the arrest warrant," General Paiboon told local media.

Mr Chuang has previously said the 1958 Mercedes Benz 300D Cabriolet — reportedly one of only 65 ever made — was a gift from a follower.

 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-29/head-thai-monk-to-be-summoned-by-police-over-1958-mercedes-benz/7272536

[jitagawn]

:hubbahubba:

[Flashermac]

I don't remember anything like this in the past. In fact, in the 1970s monks generally were apolitical and living up to their vows. You never saw monks being chauffeured around in limousine the way you do nowadays.