Bangkok: A man impersonating a monk and pretending to be disabled was apprehended while collecting money in front of a renowned shopping mall. The Phaya Thai Police Station officers took him to the Sangha Hospital to be disrobed. A background check revealed that this individual had been arrested six times prior.

According to Thai News Agency, a video captured the moment when the Phaya Thai Police officers escorted the man, who was dressed like a monk, from the Phaya Thai area to disrobe. During the incident, the man, who claimed to be a monk, engaged in a disagreement with a monk at the Sangha Hospital, insisting that he had not violated any monastic rules.

Earlier today, at 7:20 a.m., the officers received a report from the 191 radio center about a man dressed as a monk soliciting money at the end of Soi Petchburi 19, in the Thanon Phaya Thai Subdistrict, Ratchathewi District. Upon investigation, they encountered Mr. Nipon, aged 65, who was collecting money while walking with a loudspeaker. He feigned disa
bility and wore monk’s attire. The officers halted him for an inspection.

During the inquiry, Mr. Nipon confessed to collecting money, claiming it was in exchange for spreading Buddhism. However, the officers explained that such activities were inappropriate for a monk. They escorted him to the Phaya Thai Police Station for further examination. It was uncovered that he had been ordained at a temple in Nong Bua Lamphu Province. Despite his incoherent statements and protests against the police, he was taken to the Sangha Hospital to be disrobed.

Mr. Nipon was subsequently taken to the Phaya Thai Police Station, where he was formally charged with ‘causing a nuisance, etc.’ He faced prosecution for ‘inappropriately dressing or using symbols indicating that he is a monk, novice, ascetic, or clergyman of any religion,’ resulting in a fine of 100 baht before his release.

Further investigation revealed that Mr. Nipon was originally a farmer in Saraburi Province and had been ordained at a temple in Nong Bua Lamphu
Province. He had been traveling to collect money in the Phra Pradaeng District, Samut Prakan Province, for some time. By using two canes and feigning disability, he successfully evoked sympathy from the public. Occasionally, he would sit on the ground with his alms bowl, resembling a beggar.

His guise as a disabled monk proved lucrative, prompting him to ordain again on August 22 before moving to the Phaya Thai area in Bangkok to continue his activities. A concerned citizen reported his actions, leading to his arrest, marking the sixth time he faced charges for similar offenses.