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The Sun
16-07-2025
- The Sun
Thai police arrest woman in monastic extortion scandal
BANGKOK: Thai police have arrested a woman at the centre of a sex and extortion scandal involving several senior Buddhist monks, on charges including misappropriation of property and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Deputy Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), Pol. Maj. Gen. Jaroonkiet Pankaew, said the investigation began following a case on June 18 involving a senior monk and former abbot of Wat Tri Thotsathep in Bangkok, who was allegedly blackmailed. According to Jaroonkiet, the suspect, a 35-year-old woman, was apprehended at her residence in a luxury estate in Nonthaburi, after police uncovered evidence of a 380,000 Baht transfer from another senior monk's Ayutthaya temple bank account to her personal account. 'This woman is considered a dangerous individual who needs to be apprehended without delay. The evidence led directly to her arrest today,' he told a press conference on Tuesday. He added that preliminary investigations had revealed that the woman had a personal relationship with the monk, which began in May 2024. Jaroonkiet said a financial probe also uncovered links to multiple temples, as well as video footage and other materials suggesting acts of extortion and blackmail. He emphasised that the authorities had no intention of tarnishing the reputation of the Buddhist institution, but the operation was necessary to curb misconduct and maintain the sanctity of the religion. 'We will take firm and impartial action against all individuals found to be involved,' he added. He further revealed that nine out of thirteen monks implicated in the scandal had already disrobed. The investigation remains ongoing, with more individuals expected to be named. The scandal surfaced publicly late last month after the sudden disappearance of the abbot of Wat Tri Thotsathep. It was later confirmed that he had left the monkhood. Police believe his disappearance was prompted by an attempt to extort him. - Bernama
Barnama
15-07-2025
- Barnama
Thai Police Arrest Woman At Centre Of Monastic Extortion Scandal
By Wilawan Watcharasakwet BANGKOK, July 15 (Bernama) -- Thai police have arrested a woman at the centre of a sex and extortion scandal involving several senior Buddhist monks, on charges including misappropriation of property and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Deputy Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), Pol. Maj. Gen. Jaroonkiet Pankaew, said the investigation began following a case on June 18 involving a senior monk and former abbot of Wat Tri Thotsathep in Bangkok, who was allegedly blackmailed. bootstrap slideshow According to Jaroonkiet, the suspect, a 35-year-old woman, was apprehended at her residence in a luxury estate in Nonthaburi, after police uncovered evidence of a 380,000 Baht transfer from another senior monk's Ayutthaya temple bank account to her personal account. 'This woman is considered a dangerous individual who needs to be apprehended without delay. The evidence led directly to her arrest today,' he told a press conference on Tuesday. He added that preliminary investigations had revealed that the woman had a personal relationship with the monk, which began in May 2024. Jaroonkiet said a financial probe also uncovered links to multiple temples, as well as video footage and other materials suggesting acts of extortion and blackmail. He emphasised that the authorities had no intention of tarnishing the reputation of the Buddhist institution, but the operation was necessary to curb misconduct and maintain the sanctity of the religion. 'We will take firm and impartial action against all individuals found to be involved,' he added.
Mint
01-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Paetongtarn Shinawatra Net Worth: Handbags, watches & properties - A look at suspended Thailand PM's $400 million assets
Paetongtarn Shinawatra Net Worth: Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was suspended on Tuesday, had declared over $400 million in assets, with a reported net worth of 8.9 billion baht ($258 million) earlier this year. The Thai PM's asset filing posted by local media and sourced from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), also noted liabilities of nearly five billion baht, giving her a net worth of 8.9 billion baht ($258 million). Paetongtarn Shinawatra's assets include over 200 designer handbags worth over $2 million and at least 75 luxury watches valued at almost $5 million, Bloomberg had reported in January 2025. The Thai PM was suspended from office by the nation's Constitutional Court over a leaked phone call with Cambodian PM Hun Sen. In January 2025, the Thai PM was obliged to declare her assets and liabilities to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). According to the NACC reports shared by Thailand media outlets, Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared liabilities worth nearly five billion baht. Her investments were worth 11 billion baht. Shinawatra had also declared another billion baht in deposits and cash, as per her declaration, reported Bloomberg. She had 75 luxury watches – 162 million baht, and 217 handbags worth 76 million baht. The Thai PM had also declared properties in Japan and London. The Thai PM's supension centers around a leaked call. On Tuesday, Thailand's Constitutional Court unanimously agreed to accept a petition accusing Paetongtarn of breaching political ethics. Critics claim the call revealed compromising remarks and an overly conciliatory approach to Cambodia, amid Thailand's growing border disputes with the nation. The leaked call allegedly criticised a regional army commander and suggested appeasing Cambodian officials to de-escalate tensions. The fallout has led to intense political pressure and renewed scrutiny of the Thai PM's leadership style. Thai stocks and the Baht gained with the Constitutional Court's move to suspend Shinawatra boosting investor confidence that political tensions in the Southeast Asia nation may ease. 'Previously, the market was unnerved by fears of potential violence or even military intervention,' said Piriyapon Kongvanich, investment strategist at Bualuang Securities in Bangkok. 'The court's decision defused those fears and the market reacted positively," he told Forbes. Thailand Deputy PM Suriya Juangroongruangkit has assumed the role of acting prime minister while suspended Shinawatra Paetongtarn has 15 days to respond to the ethics charges, reported Reuters.
Daily Express
25-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Ismail Sabri probe completed, MACC to file RM170 million forfeiture bid
Published on: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 25, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has confirmed that the investigation into former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob ( pic ) has been completed, and a forfeiture application for cash amounting to RM170 million is expected to be filed within the next two weeks. MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the investigation papers have been submitted to the Attorney General's Chambers, and the Deputy Public Prosecutor has agreed to proceed with the application for forfeiture of the cash. 'The affidavit application and related documents are being prepared. It is up to Ismail Sabri to challenge our application,' he said at a press conference at the MACC headquarters here today. However, Azam clarified that no decision has been made yet regarding criminal charges against the country's ninth prime minister. Ismail Sabri had previously appeared at the MACC headquarters several times to assist in investigations into alleged corruption and money laundering involving the use and procurement of funds for promotion and publicity of the Keluarga Malaysia programme during his administration from August 2021 to November 2022. Azam said the MACC had also recorded a statement from Ismail Sabri's former son-in-law, Datuk Jovian Mandagie, in relation to the investigation into the former prime minister's asset ownership. Advertisement The investigation followed a directive for Ismail Sabri to declare his assets under Section 36(1) of the MACC Act 2009. The declaration was made on Feb 10, and the MACC is now analysing the sources of the declared assets. Following that, the MACC seized RM170 million in cash in various foreign currencies — including Baht, Riyal, Pound Sterling, Won, Euro, Swiss Franc and Yuan — and confiscated 16 kilogrammes of pure gold bars estimated to be worth RM7 million, as part of the corruption and money laundering probe against the former prime minister. The seizures were made during raids at a residence and office believed to have been used as a 'safehouse', based on investigations into four of Ismail Sabri's former senior officers who were detained in February. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Malaysian Reserve
25-06-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
MACC completes Ismail Sabri probe, plans RM170m forfeiture
PUTRAJAYA — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has confirmed that the investigation into former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (picture) has been completed, and a forfeiture application for cash amounting to RM170 million is expected to be filed within the next two weeks. MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the investigation papers have been submitted to the Attorney General's Chambers, and the Deputy Public Prosecutor has agreed to proceed with the application for forfeiture of the cash. 'The affidavit application and related documents are being prepared. It is up to Ismail Sabri to challenge our application,' he said at a press conference at the MACC headquarters here today. However, Azam clarified that no decision has been made yet regarding criminal charges against the country's ninth prime minister. Ismail Sabri had previously appeared at the MACC headquarters several times to assist in investigations into alleged corruption and money laundering involving the use and procurement of funds for promotion and publicity of the Keluarga Malaysia programme during his administration from August 2021 to November 2022. Azam said the MACC had also recorded a statement from Ismail Sabri's former son-in-law, Datuk Jovian Mandagie, in relation to the investigation into the former prime minister's asset ownership. The investigation followed a directive for Ismail Sabri to declare his assets under Section 36(1) of the MACC Act 2009. The declaration was made on Feb 10, and the MACC is now analysing the sources of the declared assets. Following that, the MACC seized RM170 million in cash in various foreign currencies — including Baht, Riyal, Pound Sterling, Won, Euro, Swiss Franc and Yuan — and confiscated 16 kilogrammes of pure gold bars estimated to be worth RM7 million, as part of the corruption and money laundering probe against the former prime minister. The seizures were made during raids at a residence and office believed to have been used as a 'safehouse', based on investigations into four of Ismail Sabri's former senior officers who were detained in February. — BERNAMA
