Monk faces arrest for underage sex

AFP/Bangkok

A Thai monk who was disrobed after a videotaped private jet trip unleashed allegations of improper conduct will face arrest for sex with a minor, authorities said yesterday.

Wiraphon Sukphon, who is believed to be abroad, is being sought in Thailand on suspicion of having sex with an underage girl around a decade ago while he was a monk, and of fathering a child with her.

“We will seek a warrant from a court Wednesday,” Department of Special Investigation chief Tarit Pengdith said, adding that the woman is now seeking court action to prove that the former monk is the father of her son, who is now 11.

Footage of Wiraphon, 33, and two other monks travelling in a private jet, wearing sunglasses and carrying a Louis Vuitton luxury bag, caused a scandal recently in Buddhist-majority Thailand.

He has since been investigated on suspicion of an array of offences including tax evasion, drug possession and money-laundering.

Wiraphon as a cleric went by the name Luang Pu Nen Kham to bolster his claims to be the reincarnation of a famous miracle-performing monk. He has 41 bank accounts, according to the Department of Special Investigation.