Apology for amulet scam

Written by Writer on Tuesday, October 28th, 2008

Apology for amulet scam

The abbot of Wat Suthas Thepwararam has decided to give up a legal fight to clear his name and to publicly apologise to the buyers of the controversy-marred Phra Somdej Nue Hua amulets.

Phra Wisutthathibodi, who is accused of having a role in a plot to lure people to buy the amulets last year, has agreed to put his apology on banners in front of the post offices nationwide for 30 consecutive days, his lawyer said yesterday.

The cheating charge was brought against the senior monk by lawyer Songkran Atchariyasap, a buyer of the Phra Somdej Nue Hua amulets, which bear the royal insignia without palace permission, according to the findings of the Department of Special Investigation.

“I will withdraw my charge if all the accused follow today’s agreement,” said Mr Songkran at the dispute reconciliation centre of the Criminal Court.

The judge has set the next hearing for Nov 13 to see whether they were sticking to the agreement.

Mr Songkran said he decided not to pursue the case after learning that Phra Wisutthathibodi had fallen ill and was suffering from partial paralysis.

The Criminal Court is also trying amulet maker Sitthikorn Boonchim, who is accused of falsely claiming the amulets were made with the monarch’s support.

The Diamond Hill Co owner claimed that the amulet project was aimed at raising funds for the construction of a chapel at Wat Soda Praditharam in Ratchaburi province

Over 900 people bought the amulets, worth more than 170 million baht.

Bangkok Post
Tuesday October 28, 2008