After the high-society singer and actress, Data Daralchas Sukheewiriya, posted on Instagram about practicing meditation with Teacher T. for 3-4 years before realizing she was deceived into transferring money for merit-making and some land to build a meditation center, resulting in losses of up to 50 million baht for her and her family.
Recently, Data Daralchas appeared on the "Hon Krasae" show on Channel 3 to discuss the issue, then gave an interview to the media explaining the whole situation.
- I met this teacher because Mummy (Pimdao Panichsamai) invited me to meditate together. I trusted my friend because I knew she was a good person. She saw that I constantly suffered from migraines, and despite seeing doctors, nothing helped. I was at my lowest point, with unexplained pain, having tried modern, Thai, Chinese, and Indian medicine.
- Mummy was concerned for me and suggested trying this place, saying seniors there claimed it could help. I also knew these seniors, who seemed kind and trustworthy. So I went without hesitation, about six months after Mummy.
- At first, I transferred money to other places for over a year, until I realized they probably weren't genuinely seeking benefit from this because I had been transferring money elsewhere for years, including to the Monastery Hospital. When I let my guard down, they started changing the message to say transferring money to them was the best and highest merit because the center helps people reach Nirvana and does good work.
- But ultimately, when we went to the Crime Suppression Division, their investigators uncovered the financial trail showing all transactions turned into a 35 million baht house paid in cash, a Porsche car also paid in cash for over 10 million baht, and various brand-name items they bought.
- Regarding the total amount people transferred to his account, you might have to ask the Crime Suppression Division. But for me and my family, it's 50 million baht, including land. The land and buildings are the meditation center he asked us to help register, totaling 18 rai.
- Most of the large sums went to building the meditation center and buying land. The donations weren't just from me and Mummy; about 300 people transferred money. At the time we left, he had about 300 disciples, so it was quite large.
- The teaching fees were small, but the merit-making donations varied by person, often substantial—hundreds of thousands, millions, even tens of millions. He said you had to communicate spiritually to know how much was required. When he assigned a monetary value to karma, I was skeptical. Every time I was doubtful and asked questions, he always had reasons to support it. He told me to ask a lot but not to doubt, saying he would send a spirit. He taught how to communicate spiritually, like connecting minds—I'm not sure, but it was like talking to yourself or to the opposing karma, which I didn't see as right.
- The highest single transfer for karma cutting was probably tens of thousands baht, but repeated many times. It was a belief built up over years, combined with his encouraging us to donate elsewhere first. Once I let my guard down, I started trusting him.
- What made me trust him was when he said his mind had reached Nirvana; now the Creator's spirit was 100% in him, along with Buddha and Shiva. He implied that these were within him. He didn't specify a religion but said he had the Creator within him, a mix of Buddhist and Brahmin traditions, and talked about his past lives.
- After leaving, we immediately went to the Crime Suppression Division. Only then did we learn that when they searched his real name, they found multiple cases, including fraud. When they searched his wife's name, she was deceased, with a case of false death notification, with him being the informant. We were shocked and confused. We found out he had several fraud cases, and ours was also fraud. The officials said it was likely public fraud, with over ten victims.
- Some people still believe in him; I'm not sure how many. When Mummy and I left, there were about 300 people, but only 50 remained after. They stopped practicing for about half a year, then gradually restarted, recruiting new people and removing longtime followers who knew his past, to keep new members from learning old information. There were entertainers involved, but I'm unsure now. The meditation center still exists.
- He used the credibility of everyone there and the fact that some people already knew each other to lower their guard. He leveraged the reputation of monks who attended. Anyone famous or with a well-known surname, he used them as proof that these people were his disciples and did well because of him.
- Asked how confident she is in the police, she said she recently met with Police Major General Jaroonkiat Pankaew, who gave her confidence. The Crime Suppression Division is fully supporting the case.
- Regarding his assets, she said she knows he transferred houses to his children's names, cars to his father's name, and sold some. Brand-name items have been gradually sold off, according to reports.
- I feel wary now. It was a case of trusting someone too much and not verifying enough. I admit I was naive, but I won't be fooled again. I'll have strong defenses now. I've always been optimistic and didn't think ill of anyone, assuming others didn't mean harm. Now, I need to be more realistic.
- Legally, we will pursue the case to the fullest. I want him to take responsibility properly. He has promised to repay 3-4 times but nothing has happened. The police issued summons, but he never cooperated or appeared, only sending lawyers occasionally. I want him to do everything right. We can always start anew if mistakes happen. I believe everyone deserves a good life without harming others.
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