Lawyer Anantchai Files with Prosecutors to Expand Investigation into Wat Na Pa Phong's Financial Transfers After 42 Million Baht Discovered Sent Abroad
Lawyer Anantchai filed a complaint with prosecutors alleging that Wat Na Pa Phong improperly transferred approximately 42.9 million baht abroad for litigation expenses, significantly exceeding the 8 million baht value of the resulting Germa
At 1 p.m. on April 29, 2026, the Thai Military Lawyers Foundation, led by Anantchai Chaidech (known as "Iron Bone Lawyer"), filed a request with the Office of the Attorney General requesting urgent investigation into Wat Na Pa Phong's financial transfers and to pursue criminal charges if the transfers constitute money laundering or concealment of fund sources.
This filing follows an April 23 press statement by Wat Na Pa Phong's legal team regarding a German civil court case involving 210,000 euros (approximately 12.2 million baht) transferred to Sheekaya or Kanyadhak Schneider for establishing a Buddhist association and foundation in Germany, with allegations of embezzlement.
However, further investigation by the Thai Military Lawyers Foundation uncovered additional data about Wat Na Pa Phong's multiple overseas transfers with significantly higher values than previously disclosed, including approximately 363,609.56 euros (13.82 million baht) for litigation funds, approximately 89,634 euros (3.42 million baht) in court fees, and approximately 543,425.48 euros (20.7 million baht) in foreign legal fees, totaling approximately 24.06 million baht, plus 132,303.58 euros (5.02 million baht) transferred to individuals abroad, bringing the total to approximately 42.9 million baht.
Despite the German civil court case resulting in a judgment worth only approximately 8 million baht, the temple spent 42.9 million baht on litigation, raising serious questions about the appropriateness of using temple funds, which are donations from the public.
Anantchai stated that regarding the 210,000 euros Wat Na Pa Phong transferred to Sheekaya, she properly transferred it to the Buddhist association or foundation with no embezzlement. However, the matters concerning litigation capital, court fees, foreign legal fees, and transfers to various individuals abroad are significant because they involve temple funds and could constitute criminal offenses if used without transparency or for improper purposes, particularly given their cross-border nature and potential money laundering implications.
Dr. Natthanan noted that the German court's ruling characterized the relationship as merely an "agent agreement" rather than embezzlement, and that Sheekaya did not embezzle, particularly the 210,000 euros which was properly used to establish the Buddhist association or foundation and purchase funds in Germany, indicating that Wat Na Pa Phong lost the case on this matter, with some details differing from the temple's legal team's previous media statements.
The Office of the Attorney General has preliminarily accepted the case and is preparing an in-depth investigation into the financial transfers, spending documents, and involvement of various individuals to determine whether any legal violations occurred.
The case is receiving close public scrutiny due to its involvement of public donations and potential impact on confidence in Buddhist institutions overall, with multiple parties calling for transparent disclosure of facts. This case may become another significant precedent for examining temple fund usage in Thailand.
