After being extradited from the US, Wiraphon Sukphon–Thailand’s notorious “jet set monk”–has been sentenced to 114 years behind bars by a Thai court for money laundering, computer crime, and fraud.
The former monk became famous in 2013 after a Youtube video showed him on flying on a private jet decked out in flashy sunglasses and designer clothes, flaunting wads of cash.
After a subsequent probe into his finances and holdings, Thai authorities seized over $700,000 as well as other assets including a Porsche and Mercedes Benz.
According to the charges, Wiraphon had deceived others into donating money to him so he could construct the world’s largest emerald Buddha statue. He also faces another charge of allegedly raping a minor.
Wiraphon’s case only adds more fuel to the fire in the often rocky relationship in recent years between the ruling military junta and the many Buddhist sects and clergymen using their heightened status in Thai society as a means to embezzle money.
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