15-5-2024 (BANGKOK) A legal firestorm has erupted around an eight-year-old boy known as “Nong Nice,” who is facing allegations of violating multiple laws for claims that he is the reincarnated son of the Lord Buddha, possessing magical powers to “connect people’s minds.” The controversy has sparked a broader debate over the protection of religious teachings and the welfare of children in Thailand.
On Monday, a complaint was filed with the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) against Nong Nice and eight other individuals associated with managing his “mind connection” office and website. The allegations leveled against them include violations of the Computer Crime Act, Donation Soliciting Act, and Child Welfare Protection Act.
The complaint was lodged by a group of prominent social critics, including Ananchai Chaiyadet, Praiwal “Peary” Wannabut, Thankhun Jitt-itsara, and Khun Ton Or, the founder of the Be One Foundation. These individuals have also called for a reform of the law governing the Sangha Council, Thailand’s governing body of the Buddhist order, to prevent the distortion of the Lord Buddha’s teachings.
At the heart of the controversy lies the claim that Nong Nice is the reincarnation of the Lord Buddha, endowed with supernatural abilities to “connect people’s minds.” The complainants assert that the “mind connection” office and individuals operating it are spreading false information to the public.
Ananchai Chaiyadet, a lawyer spearheading the legal action, stated that the CIB has been requested to investigate whether Nong Nice and his associates have committed fraud. He alleged that the boy’s parents are likely behind the scheme, misleading people into believing that Nong Nice was the son of the Lord Buddha in a previous life, possessing miraculous powers associated with the naga, a mythical serpent in Thai folklore.
“As a law-abiding citizen, I am obliged to lodge this complaint against the eight-year-old and anyone connected to the sect in the name of protecting Buddhism,” Ananchai stated.
The complainants have also criticized the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security for failing to take adequate steps to prevent Nong Nice from engaging in questionable acts.
Thankhun Jitt-itsara revealed that several victims have come forward to expose the alleged scheme, but their grievances have fallen on deaf ears. Meanwhile, Khun Ton Or confirmed that the Be One Foundation has filed complaints against the mind connection campaign operators with the police, the National Office of Buddhism (NOB), and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, but no action has been taken thus far.
One individual, identified as Or Rak Khamram, claimed to have attended the mind connection course, only to discover it was a sham.
