Fake monk returns to Bangkok to beg day after losing robes - video

[snoop1130]

 

Just one day after being unmasked as a fake monk, a 65 year old man from Saraburi, Central Thailand, was spotted back on the streets of Bangkok, resuming his act as a disabled beggar—but this time without his monk’s robes.

 

Last weekend, netizens sparked an outcry when they spotted the fake monk begging in the Phaya Thai district, using crutches and pretending to be disabled. Outraged by the impropriety, social media users demanded action, prompting police to step in. Officers quickly identified the imposter as Nipon, a former monk who had recently turned to begging under the guise of a Buddhist holy man.

 

Last Sunday, November 10, Nipon was taken to Monks Hospital, where he was disrobed for breaking monastic law and was fined 100 baht for begging, a direct violation of Buddhist principles. However, in a twist that stunned many, a TikTok clip surfaced yesterday, showing a familiar figure—this time dressed in white—receiving donations on the street.

 

 

The video, posted by user @zhetols, was captioned: “Today, he wears white. Now that he has been disrobed, he can do the same job. #fakemonk #monkpretendingdisabled.”

 

With his monastic disguise stripped away, Nipon’s latest act sees him returning to the streets, unfazed by the scandal that exposed him. While some Bangkok residents remain shocked by his brazenness, others worry about the potential damage to the public’s trust in genuine Buddhist monks, reported The Nation.

 

This incident has also reignited debates on stricter regulation and enforcement to curb impersonation and exploitation of public sympathy.

 

 

By Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Photo courtesy of The Nation

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2024-11-12

 

 

[john donson]

used to the easy life... why work when some dumb a... throw money and food at you

[zepplin]

The whole temple “business “ seems so far removed from the original Buddha scripture, now it’s all abo money and who can build the biggest show off temple or how many cars they can buy , or other stupid items, when do you hear about a temple donating a million bht to flood victims or similar? 

[lordgrinz]

2 minutes ago, zepplin said:

The whole temple “business “ seems so far removed from the original Buddha scripture, now it’s all abo money and who can build the biggest show off temple or how many cars they can buy , or other stupid items, when do you hear about a temple donating a million bht to flood victims or similar? 

 

It's called Thai Buddhism, not to be mistaken for real Buddhism. Just another part of the "Thai Culture" that I abhor.

[black tabby12345]

In some countries, it is illegal for people to beg money.

But is is OK here.

 

Is it fundamentally an influence from ancient India?

In India, there are people called Vocational Beggars(doing that for generations).

 

And Thai Buddhism has been historically   affected by Hinduism as well(e.g.4-faced Buddha statue, Songkhram festival in April).

 

Apart from the interactions between this kingdom and India, 

the act of begging also has legal backing in USA.

On the ground of Freedom of Speech(their constitution's 1st Amendment)...

[PETERTHEEATER]

Give him a kick in the crutch, that'll bring him down.

[BusyB]

Looks like hard work to me. Easier to get a job. Should have stayed in the temple.

[BangkokReady]

23 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

fined 100 baht for begging, a direct violation of Buddhist principles.

 

Heh?  What is it the monks do every morning?

[BangkokReady]

I kind of feel bad for Thai people sometimes.  The programming they seem to receive when they're kids does make them really happy, and they get a long really well, but it also seems to leave them open to exploitation...  😓

[novacova]

Today we seen a car with four fake monks driving and smoking while we were sitting in traffic, remove the garb then they’d look like a run of the mill criminal gang.