Police in Rayong, Thailand, have apprehended a monk, Supachai (40), and his accomplice, Suwanwit (38), for fraudulently collecting donations under the pretense of representing a defunct temple. The duo placed donation bins at various shops, claiming to raise funds for the abandoned Suan Pa Samun Phrai Monastery in Saraburi.
On October 23, local authorities responded to reports of fraudulent donation bins placed in shops along Rai-Tamnanpa. Shop owner Nopadol Butrong grew suspicious after seeing an Isuzu pickup truck parked at his shop, with a monk requesting permission to place a donation bin. Noticing inconsistencies in the monk’s story and an unreachable contact number, Nopadol alerted the police.
Officers soon confirmed that the temple had long been abandoned. Supachai and Suwanwit later admitted to using the temple’s name to solicit funds for personal use. Police seized 55 donation bins, cash amounting to 3,550 baht (US$105), a ledger detailing their activities, and the vehicle used for the operation. Supachai was defrocked before both suspects were taken into custody.
Authorities are continuing the investigation and have asked shop owners to submit any suspicious donation bins as evidence in the case.
