Disgraced former monk Nen Kham arrived in Bangkok from the United States on Wednesday night with a team of prosecutors and Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officials.
Wirapol Sukphol, 38, formerly Nen Kham, was escorted from California on an airliner to Tokyo and was switched to Thai Airways International flight TG677 for the final leg to Bangkok.
He wore Buddhist robes despite having been dismissed from the clergy.
DSI director-general Paisit Wongmuang and other officials were waiting for the former monk at the airport, from where he was whisked to the DSI for interrogation after going through the immigration process.
After his arrival at Suvarnabhumi airport late Wednesday (above), the ex-monk and former flashy cleric was whisked to the DSI headquarters (below) for processing and interrogation. (Bangkok Post photo above by Patipat Janthong. Photo below courtesy DSI)
The former abbot of Khantitham forest monastery in Kanthararom district of Si Sa Ket province will face five charges concerning money laundering, child abduction, raping a girl under 15, violations of the Computer Crime Act and fraud.
Pol Col Paisit said on Wednesday that the questioning process could drag on until Thursday morning and the flamboyant former monk will then be sent to court for detention.
Mr Wirapol, whose monastic name is Luang Pu Nen Kham Chattiko, fled the country for the US in 2013 and was sent back under the extradition agreement between the two countries after he was arrested in July last year.