DSI chief Pol Col Phaisit Wongmuang said after Wiraphon was taken to the DSI head office, an official from the Office of the National Buddhsim read him the ruling of the Sangha Council that defrocked him in absentia. Wiraphon said he knew nothing about the decision because he was abroad. He agreed to change into layman clothes but refused to chant the prayer for leaving the monkhood. Phaisit also quoted the ex-monk as saying that it was his own decision not to appeal against a California court’s extradition ruling because he wanted to defend himself in a Thai court.

Source: The Nation Bangkok July 20, 2017 03:45 UTC