webfact Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 The Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (RTP) made public that the RTP seized 273 million baht from a Thai abbot and a group of Chinese nationals for selling fake amulets to Chinese tourists at the Buddhist monastery called Kaho Chi Chan or Big Buddha Mountain in Chon Buri province. More than 20 Thai and Chinese people are under arrest. It was the vigilance of residents that brought to light the illegal business activities of the Chinese nationals last month. Reports indicated that these individuals had been enticing Chinese tourists into purchasing fraudulent Buddhist amulets at exorbitant prices. The scam was perpetrated within the confines of the Buddhist monastery, yet the relevant authorities had remained inactive in addressing the matter. The complaint from locals sparked an investigation, which ultimately substantiated the veracity of their claims. Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, addressing the media at the Police Sports Club, provided comprehensive insights into the case’s resolution, detailing the arrests and asset confiscations. The modus operandi involved one of the Chinese businessmen marrying a Thai woman to secure a license for establishing a restaurant within the monastery premises. However, instead of pursuing the restaurant venture, the group exploited the establishment for their amulet-selling enterprise. These amulets, despite costing a mere 400 baht each to produce, were being sold to unsuspecting tourists for over 20,000 baht. The illicit operation persisted for six months, spanning from January to May of the current year. During this period, the enterprise amassed a staggering income exceeding 100 million baht, enabling the culprits to pay a monthly rent of 150,000 baht to the monastery. Photo of Petch Petpailin Photo via Nong Nooch Resort Pattaya Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/temple-scam-thai-abbot-chinese-nationals-caught-in-273-million-baht-fake-amulet-scheme -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-08-09 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post fondue zoo Posted August 9, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted August 9, 2023 (edited) They're giving magic a bad name. Edited August 9, 2023 by fondue zoo 1 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post stoner Posted August 9, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted August 9, 2023 i know this story. i saw it a few weeks ago.....and a few months ago. off to make merit now. see you. 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post LennyW Posted August 9, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted August 9, 2023 I thought they would at least have an amulet to prevent their arrest... 1 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post brianthainess Posted August 9, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted August 9, 2023 43 minutes ago, webfact said: selling fake amulets to Chinese tourists There all bloody fake, If people are daft enough to buy into a cult then they deserve getting ripped off. IMO 1 5 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post 4MyEgo Posted August 9, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted August 9, 2023 I wonder what Buddha must be tinking ? 1 1 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ukrules Posted August 9, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted August 9, 2023 What's the difference between a 'fake' amulet and a 'real' one and how can you tell? 1 2 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fondue zoo Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, ukrules said: What's the difference between a 'fake' amulet and a 'real' one and how can you tell? - So, logically-- - If she weighs the same as a duck... - she's made of wood. - And therefore? - A witch! - A duck! A duck! Edited August 9, 2023 by fondue zoo 3 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Enzian Posted August 9, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted August 9, 2023 (edited) 5 hours ago, ukrules said: What's the difference between a 'fake' amulet and a 'real' one and how can you tell? I have a large (over 20) collection acquired from a well known, established art dealer in Bangkok who is also a friend. I went through a phase and then stopped. The main thing imo is simply age. It's possible to make fakes that look hundreds of years old but are not, but experienced dealers can tell. Also some are far more appealing aesthetically than others. The enamel and silver inlaid cases that usually hold them are often impressive and a pleasure to own in themselves, but perhaps not as expensive as one might think. But 20,000 baht and up is absurd. Also selling and dealing images is considered bad karma by purists, so dealers use the fiction that they are simply renting them to the next party in the line of possession. But I would agree that selling fake ones in a temple setting should result in the worst sort of karma. Edited August 9, 2023 by Enzian more 1 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post chickenslegs Posted August 9, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted August 9, 2023 6 hours ago, ukrules said: What's the difference between a 'fake' amulet and a 'real' one and how can you tell? Easy - If you are wearing fake one and you collide, head on, with a concrete truck at over 120kph, you will die. 1 1 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotchilli Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 17 hours ago, webfact said: These amulets, despite costing a mere 400 baht each to produce, were being sold to unsuspecting tourists for over 20,000 baht. Quite the profit margin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post hotchilli Posted August 9, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted August 9, 2023 12 hours ago, ukrules said: What's the difference between a 'fake' amulet and a 'real' one and how can you tell? If you walk away from a car accident un-injured... apparently 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko45k Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 12 hours ago, ukrules said: What's the difference between a 'fake' amulet and a 'real' one and how can you tell? The real ones hover above the ground, 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Damrongsak Posted August 9, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted August 9, 2023 8 hours ago, ukrules said: What's the difference between a 'fake' amulet and a 'real' one and how can you tell? Get it appraised by someone with a mojometer. 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Bones Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 17 hours ago, brianthainess said: There all bloody fake, If people are daft enough to buy into a cult then they deserve getting ripped off. IMO Amulets or Chinese are fake? Oh! Sorry....my bad.???????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Bones Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 (edited) 13 hours ago, ukrules said: What's the difference between a 'fake' amulet and a 'real' one and how can you tell? Real amulet = you are reading this thread. Fake amulet = you were bbq'd last week. ???????? Edited August 9, 2023 by Lucky Bones Fat fingers on small keyboard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammieuk1 Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 17 hours ago, LennyW said: I thought they would at least have an amulet to prevent their arrest... There is its wedge shaped ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Bones Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 1 hour ago, hotchilli said: If you walk away from a car accident un-injured... apparently Walk or flee? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicholas Paul KNIGHT Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 Caveat emptor always springs to mind , but great to see Thailand strict Buddhist traits being shown to the world, the cult of scam and fraud... You come into the world with nothing and if your a Buddhist they make damn sure you leave with nothing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klauskunkel Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 19 hours ago, webfact said: Surachate Hakparn provided comprehensive insights into the case’s resolution except for why 19 hours ago, webfact said: the relevant authorities had remained inactive in addressing the matter 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotchilli Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 59 minutes ago, Lucky Bones said: Walk or flee? We're talking about fake amulets, not responsibility Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dionigi Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 If someone is prepared to pay for it, and someone else is prepared to pay more money to but it off you, it is real. Same with paintings, sculptures, baseball cards, cigarette cards, antiques and cryptocurrencies, if someone will keep buying it, it is worth money. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phetphet Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 14 hours ago, ukrules said: What's the difference between a 'fake' amulet and a 'real' one and how can you tell? The fake ones didn't stop the perpetrators getting caught. or the victims getting scammed. ???? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrfill Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 3 hours ago, hotchilli said: Quite the profit margin. Probably got the idea from Apple 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkok Barry Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 Third report in three days of monks not behaving like monks should act. Well, the way non-Thai monks act anyway. Thai monk diffrunt mista. No need follow rools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bignok Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 16 hours ago, ukrules said: What's the difference between a 'fake' amulet and a 'real' one and how can you tell? Real ones are blessed with luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Meeseeks Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 21 hours ago, webfact said: These amulets, despite costing a mere 400 baht each to produce, were being sold to unsuspecting tourists for over 20,000 baht. There's one born every minute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Meeseeks Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 10 hours ago, chickenslegs said: Easy - If you are wearing fake one and you collide, head on, with a concrete truck at over 120kph, you will die. With or without helmet? ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digger70 Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 Real or Fake it doesn't matter There's No magic in them . It's just a Religious believe that has no power . An other money spinner for the Monks and sellers . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebell Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 23 hours ago, webfact said: It was the vigilance of residents that brought to light the illegal business activities of the Chinese nationals last month. Reports indicated that these individuals had been enticing Chinese tourists into purchasing fraudulent Buddhist amulets at exorbitant prices. It's never the result of good police work here. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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