Barkar Nash (Page 1,071)

Eight others face trial alongside well-known meditation expert, including six defrocked monks

A former popular monk, Phra Ajarn Khom, and eight others have denied charges of embezzling 182 million baht from Wat Pha Dhammakiri in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Khom Kongkaeo, the layman’s name by which the former monk is now known, appeared before the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases on Tuesday.

Also accused are Wutthima Thaomor, the 38-year-old former abbot of the temple; Mr Khom’s sister Juthathip Phubodiwarochuphan, 35; driver Boonyasak Patarakosol, 45; and five other defrocked monks: Boonsong Panpuwong, 34; Bundit Yoicha, 42; Nathapat Tangjaisanong, 36; Boonluea Phothong, 36; and Thanakrit Yotsurin, 34.

They are accused of colluding in embezzling a total of 182.77 million baht from the forest temple.

Mr Khom, 39, who achieved fame as a meditation expert and had many high-profile followers, was arrested in March along with his sister and Mr Wutthima.

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) began its investigation after the National Office of Buddhism said it suspected the monk of collecting some temple donations for his own use, according to Pol Maj Gen Montri Thetkhan, the commander of the Crime Suppression Division commander, which is under the CIB.

One donation was reportedly made through Mr Wutthima, the former abbot, who then passed the cash on to Miss Juthathip. She put the sum into her brother’s bank account, while other cash donations amounting to 51 million baht were stored in foam boxes and suitcases at her house. The money has been seized by police.

The six other accomplices were later arrested on March 9. More cash, gold bars, gold ornaments and other valuables were seized in the compound of the temple.

All nine defendants denied the charges. The court has set a Nov 7 date to begin examining evidence.

The Pheu Thai Party, which is leading the move to form a new government, and its key ally, the Bhumjaithai Party, are at odds over when the cabinet portfolios should be allocated.

Pheu Thai insists that cabinet seats will be distributed only after the parliament votes in its prime ministerial candidate, but Bhumjaithai wants the issue settled ahead of the vote.

“After the vote for prime minister there will be discussions on the positions (in the cabinet),” Pheu Thai deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai said on Tuesday.

He dismissed reports that prospective coalition allies were pressuring Pheu Thai to allocate them cabinet positions before the House and the Senate vote for a prime minister.Mr Phumtham 

Mr Phumtham reaffirmed that his party would nominate Srettha Thavisin to the parliament for prime minister, and his belief the party would have enough support from elected MPs and appointed senators to ensure his election.

He said Mr Srettha would receive support from MPs of many persuasions, including the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), other than the few parties that had announced they would sit in opposition.

PPRP agreed to join the alliance without any expectation of any cabinet position, according to Mr Phumtham.

He also said that Pheu Thai MPs were not concerned about the possibility of the party teaming up with PPRP and the United Thai Nation Party. PPRP has caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon as its leader and UTN earlier named caretaker Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as its candidate for prime minister.

However, Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul said on Tuesday the allocation of cabinet  positions should be made clear before the vote for prime minister was taken.

He said he would discuss the issue with Mr Phumtham, Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew and Pheu Thai secretary-general Prasert Chanthararuangthong.

Mr Anutin said the talks would be constructive, so that all parties concerned could come to agreement. He expected the parliament would vote for prime minister next week.

Pheu Thai came second with 141 House seats in the May 14 general election. It walked away from its previous alliance with the election-winning Move Forward Party, which has 151 House seats.

Bhumjaithai came third with 71 seats and is Pheu Thai’s biggest ally in its prospective coalition government, after the exclusion of Move Forward.

Activist Srisuwan Janya said on Tuesday he is filing complaints against a deputy House speaker from the Move Forward Party over an online post showing the MP with a new craft beer brewed in his home province.

On Sunday Mr Padipat, an MP for Phitsanolok, posted on his Facebook account a picture of himself with a can of beer. He said In the post that it was an interesting product, the first craft beer brewed in Phitsanulok.

Mr Srisuwan said he had already asked House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha to launch an ethics investigation into Deputy House Speaker Padipat Suntiphada. 

Mr Srisuwan alleged that in posting the photograph Mr Padipat had violated Section 32 of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, which prohibits the advertising of alcoholic beverages.

He said that offence carried a fine of 50,000-200,000 baht and possible imprisonment.

Mr Srisuwan said he would file a similar complaint against Mr Padipat with the National Anti-Corruption Commission. He would also file a complaint against the Pitsanulok MP with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee.

The Move Forward Party has a policy to break the duopoly in the beer market and facilitate the entry of smaller producers and local craft beers. 

The court of the 14th Military Circle in Chon Buri province has issued a warrant for the arrest of CPO2 Chanai Khunbuala, who is accused of stealing tens of thousands of rifle cartridges from Sattahip Naval Base.

A source said the Phu Ta Luang police station sought the arrest warrant as the sacked petty officer remained at large, more than a month after the alleged crime.

CPO2 Chanai had been posted at an arsenal at Sattahip Naval Base in Chon Buri. He is accused of the theft of tens of thousands of M855 and M856 cartridges for 5.56mm rifles, and thousands of 40mm grenade launcher rounds.

Caretaker Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda said on Tuesday the National Committee on the Elderly will have the final say on the new regulation setting income limits on payment of the old-age pension.

The income restrictions, signed by the caretaker interior minister and published in the Government Gazette, have drawn widespread criticism. They apply to new applicants for the age pension, paid to citizens aged 60 years and above.

Responding to reporters’ questions, the minister said the Comptroller General’s Department had given its opinion, that people with other sources of income, such as retirement funds, were not entitled to an age allowance from the state. If paid, the allowance had to be taken back and this would lead to problems.

The National Human Rights Commission and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security had also discussed the issue, Gen Anupong said. 

The ministry then sought an opinion from the Council of State on the existing regulation. The council advised that the regulation was inconsistent with the constitution, which requires that people have a livable income, particularly the needy. This led to the issuing of the new regulation, Gen Anupong said.

The minister said the National Committee on the Elderly would consider how to make payment of the age allowance fair to all. The national committee needed to decide. The caretaker cabinet had no authority to do so, because it was a tie-over responsibility for the new government and required the allocation of a large government budget. 

However, the caretaker government had already set guidelines for this issue, he said.

Existing recipients of the age allowance would continue to receive it and, for now, new applicants could also get it based on the old regulation, Gen Anupong said. He hoped this would allay people’s concerns over the new regulation.

The new regulation, setting income limits, was signed by Gen Anupong and published in the Royal Gazette, and said to be effective from Aug 12.

The old regulation was for local administrations to pay universal monthly allowances of 600-1,000 baht to all elderly people – 600 baht for people aged 60-69, 700 baht for people aged 70-79, 800 baht  for people aged 80-89, and 1,000 baht for people aged 90 years or more.

However, the new regulation states that only people with no income, or insufficient income to cover the cost of living, are entitled to the monthly age allowance from the state.

The new regulation drew strong opposition key members from the Move Forward and Thai Sang Thai parties.

Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, a Move Forward list MP,  on Monday slammed the new regulation, saying it would have a severe impact on people turning 60. The requirement for the elderly to prove their poverty may prevent them receiving state welfare, which was in breach of this law, said the outspoken MP.

Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, leader of the Thai Sang Thai Party, said the new criterion for receipt of the monthly allowance for the aged was a serious violation of the principle of universal coverage for state welfare, and it was discriminatory.

Caretaker Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda said on Tuesday the National Committee on the Elderly will have the final say on the new regulation setting income limits on payment of the old-age pension.

The income restrictions, signed by the caretaker interior minister and published in the Government Gazette, have drawn widespread criticism. They apply to new applicants for the age pension, paid to citizens aged 60 years and above.

Responding to reporters’ questions, the minister said the Comptroller General’s Department had given its opinion, that people with other sources of income, such as retirement funds, were not entitled to an age allowance from the state. If paid, the allowance had to be taken back and this would lead to problems.

The National Human Rights Commission and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security had also discussed the issue, Gen Anupong said. 

The ministry then sought an opinion from the Council of State on the existing regulation. The council advised that the regulation was inconsistent with the constitution, which requires that people have a livable income, particularly the needy. This led to the issuing of the new regulation, Gen Anupong said.

The minister said the National Committee on the Elderly would consider how to make payment of the age allowance fair to all. The national committee needed to decide. The caretaker cabinet had no authority to do so, because it was a tie-over responsibility for the new government and required the allocation of a large government budget. 

However, the caretaker government had already set guidelines for this issue, he said.

Existing recipients of the age allowance would continue to receive it and, for now, new applicants could also get it based on the old regulation, Gen Anupong said. He hoped this would allay people’s concerns over the new regulation.

The new regulation, setting income limits, was signed by Gen Anupong and published in the Royal Gazette, and said to be effective from Aug 12.

The old regulation was for local administrations to pay universal monthly allowances of 600-1,000 baht to all elderly people – 600 baht for people aged 60-69, 700 baht for people aged 70-79, 800 baht  for people aged 80-89, and 1,000 baht for people aged 90 years or more.

However, the new regulation states that only people with no income, or insufficient income to cover the cost of living, are entitled to the monthly age allowance from the state.

The new regulation drew strong opposition key members from the Move Forward and Thai Sang Thai parties.

Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, a Move Forward list MP,  on Monday slammed the new regulation, saying it would have a severe impact on people turning 60. The requirement for the elderly to prove their poverty may prevent them receiving state welfare, which was in breach of this law, said the outspoken MP.

Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, leader of the Thai Sang Thai Party, said the new criterion for receipt of the monthly allowance for the aged was a serious violation of the principle of universal coverage for state welfare, and it was discriminatory.

Elderly face limits on who gets welfare

Critics have slammed the outgoing government for issuing a new regulation imposing income limits on the elderly receiving monthly allowances.

They say it should be left to the incoming government to decide on the matter while accusing the outgoing government of inefficiently categorising income groups.

The new regulation was signed by Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda and published in the Royal Gazette on Friday and became effective on Saturday.

The old regulation was for local administration organisations to pay universal monthly allowances of 600-1,000 baht to all elderly people, with 600 baht for people aged 60-69, 700 baht for people aged 70-79, 800 baht for people aged 80-89, and 1,000 baht for people aged 90 years and older.

Item 6 (4) of the new regulation states that from Saturday, only elderly people with no income or insufficient income to cover the cost of living are entitled to the monthly allowance from the state.

However, Item 17, a provisional clause in the new regulation, states that the new criterion for payment of the elderly allowance does not apply to people who registered for the allowance with local bodies before Aug 12, 2023, meaning those currently receiving the allowance are not affected.

Chaithawat Tulathon, secretary-general of the Move Forward Party (MFP), said the party disagrees with the new criterion.

“Everyone is entitled to welfare benefits. It is not about trying to prove people’s poverty. Changing a policy regarding welfare benefits is a major issue as it affects many people. It should not be carried out while a new government has not taken office yet,” he said.

“Whoever becomes the new prime minister should revise the new regulation,” Mr Chaithawat said while insisting that the party favours universal welfare coverage.

Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, an MFP list-MP, said the new criterion had replaced universal coverage for the elderly.

It will severely impact people reaching 60 in the future, he said. People turning 70, 80 or 90 looking forward to the larger allowance will also wonder if they will get it.

In addition, he said, it was unclear whether people turning 60, who still have enough income to live on and are not entitled to the allowance under the new criterion and who later find they cannot make ends meet, will be able to register for the allowance.

Mr Wiroj said Thailand now had about 11 million people aged 60 and older. If payment of the elderly allowance were based on the database for state-welfare cardholders, only 5 million would be entitled to the allowance.

The other 6 million would be left out in the cold by the government, he said.

“The database is unreliable. This information cannot be used as a criterion for paying the elderly allowance,” he said.

The MFP MP said Section 11 (11) of the Elderly People Act stipulates that payment of the elderly allowance must be made monthly and be universal and fair.

The requirement for the elderly to prove their poverty may prevent them from receiving state welfare, which breaches this law.

Mr Wiroj said people affected by this change could petition the Administrative Court. The MFP pledged a monthly allowance of 3,000 baht to all elderly citizens during campaigning for the general election.

Sustarum Thammaboosadee, a lecturer at Thammasat University’s college of interdisciplinary studies, said that all elderly people should be entitled to universal welfare coverage.

Wannaphong Durongkaveroj, an economics lecturer at Ramkhamhaeng University, said that local authorities could not rely on the state-welfare card database to identify who is eligible for the allowance.

He said they must instead hold surveys in their localities before implementing the new regulation.