A 58-year-old man masquerading as a Buddhist monk was arrested Tuesday for soliciting alms and money for the past three years in Chiang Mai.
Boonmee Pankaew, 58, a bogus monk, takes off his saffron robe to wear a white shirt after being caught at his house in Chiang Mai. (Photo by Cheewin Sattha)
Boonmee Pankaew, 58, was apprehended at his house in tambon San Sai of Saraphi district, said police who led soldiers and religious officials in searching his home. Seized were saffron robes and a monk's alms bowl.
Police alleged Mr Boonmee had earned his living by collecting alms and soliciting money from people at markets in downtown Chiang Mai to feed his family for more than three years.
Unsure if he actually was ordained, police initially took the "monk" to the abbot of Wat Sridonchai for defrocking. But he was unable to utter a single word of Buddhist dhamma.
He then was taken to a local police station and charged with impersonating a monk. The offence carries a jail term of up to one year and/or a fine of up to 2,000 baht.
Narong Song-arom, director of the Chiang Mai Buddhism office, said Mr Boonmee dressed like a layman when he was in his house. Every morning, the suspect was seen driving a pickup truck or travelling in a hired vehicle to collect alms and solicit money at markets. On the way, Mr Boonmee changed his clothes into a monk robe, alleged Mr Narong.