Barkar Nash (Page 21)

A source claims that a former National Office of Buddhism ( NOB ) chief who was accused of stealing temple funds has been detained in Texas.

Nopparat Benjawattananan, who emigrated after the scandal first emerged in 2017, was detained on April 11 by the US Marshals Service in a hospital back of a conventional extradition request anticipated from the Thai state.

Thai authorities requested his arrest in response to his request to be extradited to face embezzlement-related costs. The abduction procedure might take some time.

He was discovered to be unusually wealthy and the National Anti-Corruption Commission ( NACC ) linked him to the bribery of funds from temple budgets.

The NACC mandated the seizure of$ 94.2 million baht worth of assets held by Mr. Nopparat and others. The NACC made the decision to indict Mr. Nopparat in December 2023 for embezzling$ 30 million baht in money.

There are currently 36 church fund scam cases pending with the NACC, out of a total of 47, in which Mr. Nopparat is a part. The officers Counter-Corruption Division is handling more than a few other cases involving him.

In the NACC investigation, Mr. Nopparat and two others, including the former directors of the Temple Restoration and Religious Welfare Section, Wasawat Kittitheerasit, and Pranom Kongpikul, the former chairman of the Buddhist Places Division, were accused of embezzling money from three Ayutthaya shrines.

The NACC claims that the pair demanded that the temples pay them at least 90 % of their yearly grants in 2013 to help them help temples in rural areas, particularly in the Deep South.

Wat Jongkolnee provided the pair with 1.6 million ringgit from their 2-million-baht payment, and Wat Nopparat’s brother Wathanyu Petcharat received the check.

According to the investigation, the other two temples each gave Ms Pranom 900,000 ringgit from their one million-baht monthly payment.

Additionally, they were accused of stealing 28 million baht during the 2014 fiscal time to pay for the construction of five shrines in Bangkok, Samut Songkhram, Samut Prakan, Saraburi, and Nakhon Pathom.

Investigations revealed that none of those churches had requested donations for NOB reconstruction funds.

Nopparat: Charged with corruption

As Thailand celebrates the Songkran festival, local airports are experiencing an influx of both domestic and international travelers.

Big cities like Phuket, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Songkhla, and Khon Kaen organized their own Songkran events on Sunday, which attracted thousands of tourists who wanted to take part in the yearly celebration.

Tourists from Phuket poured into Patong Beach, which was filled with a myriad of actions, including merit-making ceremonies, conventional water gifts, and dance performances that started early in the morning. Water fights may be spotted all day, specifically along Bangla Road.

However, on Sunday at the state’s Tha Phae Gate, officials in Chiang Mai held a Lanna-style New Year’s Eve party known as Pi Mai Mueang.

Highlights of the occasion included a royal cleaning of a copy of the Phra Buddha Sihing image, a Songkran goddess’s march, and a charm show featuring 30 contestants riding paper parasols while wearing traditional clothing in a nod to the past lives of Lanna women.

Locals in Nakhon Ratchasima in the Northeast participated in a day merit-making ceremony that included the royal cleaning of Buddha pictures. Some people paid tribute to Thao Suranari, the state’s legend, or” Lady Mo.”

The Ministry of Culture, which co-sponsored the event, reported that the” Korat Grand Songkran” event this year attracted more than 50 million baht in revenue.

The tourism power of Thailand’s Khon Kaen company organized a” Songkran Two Ways” visit that included free city bus rides for tourists to experience both traditional religious customs with traditional merit-making activities and colorful fun activities.

Highlights included a mortal wave, a human storm, and sit Mor Lam music that was played on city buses.

The single event of its kind in Thailand, the” Hat Yai Midnight Songkran” party, ran from Saturday evening until Sunday night, in Songkhla in the north, showcasing a unique all-night water fight that ran from Saturday evening until Sunday morning. Sanehanusorn Road was filled with life DJ sets and foaming events for tourists, many of whom were from neighboring Malaysia.

Numerous Buddhist merit-making ceremonies were held in the morning, many of which featured versions of the revered figures Luang Pu Thuat and Phra Buddha Sihing.

The Department of Airports ( DoA ), which oversees the nation’s regional airports, except six that are run by Airports of Thailand ( AoT), reported a lively start to the Songkran holidays this year. On April 11, the day before the official start of the Songkran holidays, it claimed 44, 819 passengers, 42 of whom were home, 870 of which were worldwide, and 299 of whom were under its control.

A joint activities center has been established from April 11 to April 17 according to DoA director-general Danai Ruengsuan to ensure the safety and effectiveness of activities throughout the time.

Additionally, airports that are under the DoA organized standard water-pouring rites and memory giveaways to welcome visitors.

According to the Meteorological Department, the South will experience rain, hailstorms, and hotter conditions during the Songkran holiday on Sunday through to Wednesday, while the North, Northeast, Central Plain, and East may experience rain and thunderstorms.

The ministry claimed that a high-pressure method from China had impacted the Northeast of Thailand and the South China Sea, and that east and southerly winds would cause humidity to the North, Northeast, Central Plain, and East where the weather was warm.

That could lead to thunderstorms and hurricanes in the area on Sunday and Monday.

The high-pressure system may become weak from Tuesday through Wednesday, the region’s conditions will increase, and thunderstorms may occur. The ministry anticipated hot days to arrive in the affected areas during this time.

Large rains are expected in some of the South from Sunday through Wednesday, according to scientists.

The United States expressed gratitude for Thailand’s long-standing compassion and wishes them a happy Songkran.

On Saturday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the Thai people with nice hopes, saying,” I wish the people of the Kingdom of Thailand a time of good fortune and registration during this time of Songkran.”

” The American citizens and the United States are appreciative of the longer, fruitful partnership we have with Thailand. We as friends and allies look forward to discovering fresh methods to collaborate to improve the lives and prospects of both Thais and Americans.

Content Songkran and a Happy New Year, he wished the citizens of Thailand and the Thai-American area in the United States.

Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa responded with warm respects to both Mr. Rubio and the British citizens in gain. He thanked the recipients for their kind wishes.

Mr. Maris reaffirmed Thailand’s dedication to working closely with the United States to further strengthen diplomatic relationships across all aspects and fully agreed with Mr. Rubio’s views regarding the lengthy relationship between the two countries.

Lee MAI: Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra says the chances of the Myanmar junta and military militants agreeing to peace talks are “high.”

He said this in response to the favorable response Myanmar’s Senior General Min Aung Hlaing received at a recent conference in Bangkok.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he had spoken with Min Aung Hlaing on the occasion of the 6th Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation ( Bimstec) Summit in his capacity as an advisor to the Asean chair.

They have a good chance of bringing them to a dialogue, and we are eager to help it. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has listened to us, and more debate are on the horizon,” Thaksin said.

He had mentioned the importance of peace talks as the first step in the direction of that purpose in the neighboring nation and the Myanmar junta leader who was visiting the country.

” We won’t support any particular party.” We only want to set up a space for them to discuss issues,” Thaksin said.

He feared that an election wouldn’t be held in the nation because he thought political prisoners would have to be freed first after peace talks with the Myanmar junta and armies.

Min Aung Hlaing, the coup leader, has been in power in Myanmar since 2021 when his defense seized control in a revolution that overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi’s civil government.

On a sporadic international excursion, Min Aung Hlaing met officials including the prime ministers of Thailand and India at the summit in Bangkok on April 3 and 4.

NARATHIWAT- Four guards were hurt on Sunday when a weapon that was hidden in a bike with a sidecar exploded near their housing complex in Rangae area.

An undetermined number of men were seen riding the scooter with a car to Wat Chairattanaram, a nearby Ranger Company 4503 sleeping quarters. They left the area after parking near the temple wall, leaving the weapon to blow at 6:30 am.

Four officers were reportedly somewhat hurt by the explosion and were all taken to Rangae Hospital.

Lt. Gen Paisal Noosang, the commander of Army Region 4, inspected the scene and recommended more strict measures to ensure the residents ‘ health as they celebrated Songkran. He continued, adding that extra safety was already in place in business regions across all four of the country’s southern provinces.

On the following travel day of the long break to enjoy the standard new year, 30 people died and 257 were hurt in Songkran road accidents.

The next day of the secure driving campaign, the Road Safety Operation Centre reported 248 injuries on Sunday, bringing the total number of injuries to 459 thus far.

The injuries on Saturday resulted in 30 deaths, three more than the start of the time, and 257 injuries, up from the previous day’s 201.

Riders accounted for 86 % of all injuries, still the most dangerous form of transportation. According to the center, driving while over the speed control was the cause of the majority of collisions, followed by driving while intoxicated.

Nine deaths were registered in Bangkok, while three in Lamphun came in second place. Bridges were the site of the majority of collisions.

When people traveled house or for holidays on Friday and Saturday, that is when they did.

Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong stated in a media conference at the center that more accidents did presently occur on local, no key, roads because drivers had now arrived at their destinations and had already begun observing the festivities in their neighborhoods or tourist destinations.

On Saturday, bridge officers reported to Mcot Radio that they anticipated that Tuesday’s return trips from home or tourist destinations would be followed by Tuesday, and that Bangkok traffic would reach its highest on Wednesday. However, some guests may choose to extend their stay by taking two more days off on Thursday and Friday so they can return to work on Saturday.