Wat Phra That Phanom Lawyer Denies 114 Million Baht Disappearance
The article covers a dispute between Wat Phra That Phanom's lawyer and former abbot/district chief Jakkraphong Pathumkaiya over missing temple funds. The lawyer denies 114 million baht disappeared, says 81 million remains, and threatens leg
Wat Phra That Phanom's lawyer disputes the claim that 114 million baht has gone missing, stating that 81 million baht remains in temple accounts, and questions the former district chief about 12 million baht. He threatens to sue those who posted and shared false information.
The controversy stems from Jakkraphong Pathumkaiya, former That Phanom district chief, Nakhon Phanom, and former abbot of Wat Phra That Phanom Woramahawihan, who posted on his personal Facebook page exposing the temple: from 114 million baht, after two years it is nearly gone; how was the money managed? The last lump sum paid for water and electricity bills was also withdrawn. He also stated, "I decided to post because I am truly concerned about the temple before nothing remains."
Jakkraphong also posted: "If it is not true, come out and announce how much money Wat Phra That Phanom has left; temple money is money donated by the public together." After the post spread widely, many people commented. Meanwhile, Naphonsak Saphayasing, lawyer for Wat Phra That Phanom, responded to Jakkraphong's claims that damaged the temple's reputation, asking back which account the money came from, and threatening legal action if the temple suffers harm.
As previously reported, on October 31, 2569 BE, at the meeting room of the Benefit Management Division, Wat Phra That Phanom Woramahawihan, That Phanom District, Nakhon Phanom Province, the eight-member temple committee met to discuss the issue, spending over one hour in discussion.
After the committee meeting concluded, they brought the temple's financial documents (income and expenditure) and copies of land title deeds to a press conference. Present were Suwit Khanthiyarat, chairman of the Wat Phra That Phanom Woramahawihan Executive Committee; Naphonsak Saphayasing, lawyer for Wat Phra That Phanom; and the eight committee members. Also present were Pol. Lt. Col. Thanon Chaiyaburm, Deputy Chief (Acting) of That Phanom Police Station, and 4-5 police officers to maintain order.
Naphonsak revealed that Jakkraphong Pathumkaiya, former abbot and former acting district chief of That Phanom, had raised the issue based on his time in administration, claiming there was 114 million baht remaining in the temple's account and insinuating that the current temple committee's management lacked transparency, alleging that the temple's money was now gone.
After the temple executive committee meeting concluded, they assigned him to inform the media and Buddhist public nationwide about the allegations and claims. The claim that 144 million baht remains in the temple's account is not true. The current committee took office around October 2568 BE, and the National Office of Buddhism had issued draft regulations requiring all temples to submit financial reports to the Office.
After the previous committee, led by Jakkraphong Pathumkaiya, the current committee found no documents whatsoever from that administration. Upon taking office, they investigated all bank accounts related to the temple and found 45 accounts. Before the current committee took over, an audit in 2568 BE showed 94,044,234.99 baht remaining in temple accounts. After an audit in December 2568 BE, the current committee consolidated accounts, discovering some duplication among the 45 accounts. The latest tally shows total temple funds from public donations for the maintenance of Wat Phra That Phanom and Buddhism amount to 81,800,473.36 baht today, according to documents provided to the media. The claim that the current committee's budget management caused funds to disappear is completely untrue.
The current committee has strong doubts...
