US authorities arrested the former monk on July 22 last year at the request of Thai authorities based on the aforementioned charges. Amnat provided further details of the extradition process, saying Thai officials had collected the relevant evidence and documents and forwarded them to their US counterparts on November 30, 2015. While declining to speculate broadly on Wiraphol’s decision not to appeal the extradition, Amnat said legal expenses were more expensive in the US than in Thailand. He also defended against criticism that Thai authorities had been very slow in bringing the former monk back to the country, saying the process was very detailed and time consuming. According to the extradition protocol, Wiraphol and Thai officials were expected to board flights first and exit last.

Source: The Nation Bangkok July 19, 2017 10:07 UTC