BANGKOK (Thailand)
The Associated Press
August 9, 2018
By Kaweewit Kaewjinda
A former Buddhist monk infamous for a jet-set lifestyle was sentenced Thursday to more than 100 years in prison in connection with funds he fraudulently raised from followers.
Wirapol Sukphol caused a scandal when he appeared in a 2013 YouTube video in his monk’s robes aboard a private jet wearing aviator sunglasses with a Louis Vuitton carry-on by his side. He was defrocked amid accusations that he had sexual relations with several women — a major violation of the precepts guiding monks’ behavior — and had impregnated one. There were also allegations he had sex with a 14-year-old girl.
Because of the furor, he fled to the United States, where he was arrested in 2016 and extradited last year.
The Ratchada Criminal Court in Bangkok sentenced him Thursday to 114 years in prison, although legal technicalities capped the actual time he must serve at 20 years. He was found guilty of fraud, money laundering and violation of the computer crime act for spending money he had solicited for Buddhist statuary and temple improvements instead on cars and luxury goods.
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