Jet-setting monk Wirapol Sukphol's controversy-ridden career in saffron robes drew ingloriously to an end yesterday after his peers in Si Sa Ket province agreed to defrock him for violating Buddhism principles.
The decision was reached in a 40-minute meeting at Wat Pa Sri Samran in Muang district, which is the provincial monk office. The meeting of senior monks centred on evidence involving sexual allegations against the former Phra Wirapol, also known as Luang Pu Nen Kham Sukphol.
They used evidence supplied by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Office of Buddhism in Si Sa Ket to reach the decision.
The meeting agreed that the evidence clearly showed misdeeds, leading to the decision to disrobe him, said Phra Khru Siriwinaiwat, who chairs a panel investigating Mr Wirapol.
The decision took immediate effect, he said, adding that the monks in Si Sa Ket had accomplished their task.
The former monk faces accusations of fathering a boy and having sexual relations with women while he was a monk.
The ruling was made in absentia as the former monk is believed to be in the United States after leaving France. He has ignored orders to return to defend himself after a string of accusations were levelled against him.
The Si Sa Ket senior monks were involved in the case as his Khantitham forest monastry is located in Kanthararom district of the northeastern province.
"He should be called Mr Wirapol Sukphol from now on," Amnart Buasiri, deputy director of the National Office of Buddhism, said.
Mr Wirapol can appeal against the decision to the monk in charge of his region, and if he is not satisfied, his last resort is the Sangkha Supreme Council, the official explained.
The former monk was ordained in 1999 at Wat Pa Don That in Pibul Mangsahan district of neighbouring Ubon Ratchathani province before building his empire at his forest monastry. Despite being only 34 years old, he called himself Luang Pu, a term used to refer to senior monks, by adding his ages in previous lives.
Phra Khru Watcharasitthikun, secretary to the chief of Si Sa Ket's Dhammayut sect, said leading monks in the province would decide the future of the forest monastry later on, hinting that it could be properly registered as a temple.
The monastry has more than 10 branches in other provinces, according to Nopparat Benjawatananun, director of the National Buddhism Office. Mr Nopparat yesterday ordered provincial offices where they are located to check whether they were illegally set up.
His decision not to register Khantitham as a temple kept the Si Sa Ket monks from looking into its activities, including financial transactions.
The former monk and his associates could not be reached for comment.
His followers had rallied for justice for Mr Wirapol in several areas but Mr Nopparat said their calls could not be accepted as they did not have any documents proving they were acting on his behalf.
The former monk was implicated on eight criminal counts by the DSI.
They are false advertising by claiming that he had an audience with the deity Indra; rape of a minor; tax avoidance on luxury cars; illicit drug taking; using fake educational certification; reckless driving; money laundering; and claims about supernatural powers.
The former monk's behaviour came to light after images of him in a private jet and with luxury items were posted on social media networks.
The DSI is compiling evidence to petition US authorities to revoke his visa so that he can be brought back to Thailand to face legal action.