A court has backed prosecutors and denied bail for Nopparat Benjawatananun, the former National Office of Buddhism (NOB) chief who fled to the United States after he was accused of embezzling subsidies for the restoration of temples across the country, the Office of the Attorney-General announced on Monday.
Mr Nopparat, who was extradited to Thailand on Saturday, was taken into police custody as he had two active warrants against him.
The warrants, issued by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 7 and Region 9 in 2023, accused him of diverting funds meant to go towards the renovation and development of over 65 temples across the country.
The warrants also noted his alleged involvement in the embezzlement of funds allocated to a further 65 temples in the deep South.
Mr Nopparat fled to the US after the scandal broke out eight years ago. The US Marshals Service finally located and detained him in April.
OAG, in cooperation with the Foreign Affairs Division of the Royal Thai Police and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), secured the extradition of Mr Nopparat last weekend.
According to OAG spokesman, Sakkasem Nisaiyok, Mr Nopparat was brought to the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 7 Monday morning to acknowledge the charges against him.
Mr Nopparat will remain in custody until Oct 10 as prosecutors opposed bail, calling him a flight risk.
Mr Nopparat is accused of misappropriating properties, corruption and malfeasance under sections 83, 147, 151 and 157 of the Criminal Code, after authorities detected irregularities in the renovation of Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan in Ayutthaya.
Mr Sakkasem said the allegations against Mr Nopparat carry severe penalties as they involve large sums of money that he and his associates allegedly embezzled from the government.
