An expat American businessman is accusing his late wife of embezzling THB40 million worth of his assets and taking away his daughter, leaving him to destitution and a life amongst the monks of Wat Charoen Dhammaram in Rayong.
Sixty-three-year-old Roger Rae Harpel claims that his late wife, Nattiyanee Suwanrat, diverted the contested funds to her mother and cousins. Harpel had given Nattiyanee legal control of two companies that he started in 2005, one a real estate company, the other an export company. He claims that Nattiyanee used the capital from these ventures to provide money for her relatives.
Harpel also accuses Nattiyanee of taking their 11-year-old daughter and holding her as a hostage in the negotiations.
Though Nattiyanee died in an accident before the issue could be resolved, Nattiyanee’s mother is now trying to become the child’s legal guardian.
Harpel has made entreaties to Thai law enforcement authorities, requesting that they furnish him with an attorney, paternity test and interpreter so that he can go about reclaiming his daughter and assets.
The Bangkok Post reports that while awaiting the results of this legal case, Harpel has been living at Wat Charoen Dhammaram, where he has worked teaching the monks English.
