When men of God lose sight of God


Police officers escorting the Buddhist monk outside the Central Investigation Bureau in Bangkok after he was arrested on charges including embezzlement and money laundering. — THAI NEWS PIX/AFP

IT has been the biggest news in the region – a scandal involving a senior Thai Buddhist monk: a sex video, millions of baht in alleged misappropriated temple funds, piles of cash, gold bars, jewellery, and land documents.

The former abbot of Wat Phutthaisawan in Ayutthaya, a prominent royal monastery, was arrested after police investigated allegations that more than 92 million baht (over RM11mil) in temple funds had been diverted.

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Wong Chun Wai , On the beat column
Wong Chun Wai

Wong Chun Wai

Wong Chun Wai began his career as a journalist in Penang and served Star Media Group for nearly four decades in various capacities and roles. He was group editorial and corporate affairs adviser to the group, after having served as group managing director/chief executive officer. "On The Beat" debuted on Feb 23, 1997. Chun Wai has penned the column weekly without a break, except for occasional press holidays when the paper was not published. In May 2011, a compilation of selected articles of On The Beat was published as a book and launched in conjunction with his 50th birthday. Chun Wai also comments on current issues in The Star. He is now chairman of national news agency Bernama.

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