Complaint Filed Against Three Foundations for Illegal Fundraising
Activist Oy Sree and lawyer Thanakorn Noipitak have filed a complaint with the Department of Provincial Administration accusing three Thai foundations of violating the Fundraising Control Act by soliciting donations without required permits. The Khon Thuen Tham Foundation allegedly diverted flood-relief funds to buy land for a meditation center, while the Lawyer Team Foundation for Youth and Society is accused of using personal accounts for unauthorized fundraising. Authorities are being urged to investigate whether these actions constitute illegal fundraising and misuse of donated money.
On November 9, 2026, at the Ministry of Interior, Ms. Bunyanuch Saengsri, known as Oy Sree, owner of the Facebook fan page 'Oy Sree and Friends,' together with lawyer Thanakorn Noipitak, submitted a formal complaint to the Department of Provincial Administration requesting a fact-finding inquiry into three foundations: the Khon Thuen Tham Foundation, the Lawyer Team Foundation for Youth and Society, and the Pen Nueng Foundation.
Regarding the Khon Thuen Tham Foundation, established by Ajarn Beer less than a year ago, the complaint notes that during the recent flood crisis the foundation publicly appealed for donations to assist victims. However, Ajarn Beer himself confirmed that the funds were not disbursed for the donors' intended purpose and declared they would be used to purchase land for a meditation center — a purpose that may not align with the foundation's registered objectives.
Lawyer Thanakorn added that Khon Thuen Tham was only registered in May yet had continuously accepted donations through other individuals' personal accounts. Under the Fundraising Control Act B.E. 2487, any public solicitation via advertising media requires prior permission from the Department of Provincial Administration and approval by the Fundraising Control Committee, with clear specification of objectives and budget, unless donors voluntarily deliver funds directly to the foundation's premises without any public appeal.
Thanakorn observed that the foundation's appeals to buy land for a meditation center were not clearly stated in its registered objectives, which only mention general promotion of meditation practice. He also pointed to video evidence showing surplus flood-relief funds that Ajarn Beer said would be retained for land purchase, raising the question of whether this is permissible without prior fundraising authorization.
Oy Sree further alleged that Ajarn Beer solicited donations for Buddhist Lent candles using his personal name, announcing a merit-making period from today until August 1, 2026, but it remains unclear whether the candles were actually offered as claimed and whether the personal-name solicitation complied with legal procedures. She noted that a test transfer to the candle-donation account two days ago was still accepted and the account remained open. Moreover, Ajarn Beer has used family members' personal accounts to receive donations, and despite claims of published bank statements, the issue goes beyond mere disclosure — donation recipients must follow proper legal procedures, warranting a thorough retrospective investigation.
On the Lawyer Team Foundation for Youth and Society, headed by lawyer Shitra Biabang (Lawyer Tom), Oy Sree noted that Shitra had previously filed complaints against other foundations but may have overlooked his own. Shitra had publicly stated he never solicited donations, yet Oy Sree presented evidence that the foundation posted multiple donation appeals and used Shitra's personal account to invite transfers for the foundation's establishment, without clarifying whether explanatory filings, project openings or closings, or Fundraising Control Act permits were ever obtained.
