The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), in cooperation with the Office of the Attorney General, the Royal Thai Police, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has handed over former National Office of Buddhism director Nopparat Benjawattananan a key accused in the “temple fund misappropriation case” to face legal proceedings.
Sunday, 28 September 2025, Mr. Surapong Intarathawon, Spokesperson of the Office of the NACC, announced that the United States authorities had apprehended Mr. Nopparat Benjawattananan, former Director of the National Office of Buddhism (NOB), who is the alleged culprit in the case in which the NACC found grounds of corruption involving subsidies for temple restoration and development, commonly referred to as the “temple fund misappropriation case.” The arrest took place in the State of Texas, United States. This action was undertaken in pursuance of Thailand’s extradition request, following a petition submitted by the Office of the NACC through the Attorney-General, in his capacity as the central authority under the Extradition Act B.E. 2551 (2008). The petition was transmitted to the Government of the United States requesting the extradition of Mr. Nopparat Benjawattananan, who had fled to the United States, so that he may be brought back to Thailand for prosecution.
The NACC tasked the Office of the NACC, led by Deputy Secretary-General Mr. Nitiphan Prachuabmoh, together with the Bureau of International Affairs and Corruption Investigation, to collaborate with the Office of the Attorney-General, the Royal Thai Police, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in carrying out the measures necessary to secure the return of Mr. Nopparat Benjawattananan to Thailand. Today, the Office of the NACC, represented by Mr. Phatthanaphong Chanphetphun, Assistant Secretary-General, together with the Bureau of Investigation and Special Operations and the Bureau of Litigation, coordinated with the responsible public prosecutors to submit Mr. Nopparat Benjawattananan to the Court for prosecution in accordance with legal procedures.
The NACC will coordinate with relevant agencies to seize, freeze, and recover assets obtained through corruption and return them to the country, in accordance with the United Nations Convention against Corruption 2003 (UNCAC), to which both Thailand and the United States are States Parties.
This statement is hereby issued for public acknowledgement.
The finding of grounds of allegation by the NACC does not constitute a final judgment. The alleged culprit shall be presumed innocent until a final judgment of the court.
