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Taxi Robber Posed as Monk to Fund Online Gambling Habit

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Picture courtesy of Daily News.

 

Ayutthaya police have arrested a man accused of repeatedly committing robberies, including stealing a taxi, while also disguising himself as a Buddhist monk to solicit donations which he then used to gamble online.

 

On 5 September, investigators from Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Police Station, in cooperation with Region 1 Provincial Police and Huamark Police, executed an arrest warrant at a hotel in the Ramkhamhaeng area of Bangkok. The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Wiwat Ngamsombat, was wanted in connection with the robbery of a taxi driver on 29 August.

 

During questioning, Wiwat confessed that his crimes were driven by a severe addiction to online gambling. When his funds ran out, he would don monk’s robes and solicit donations from the public, claiming it was for religious purposes. The money collected was then spent on gambling and personal expenses. When the funds were exhausted, he allegedly returned to robbery.

 

Police investigations revealed that Wiwat had a criminal history across several provinces. In Samut Prakan, he reportedly tricked a taxi driver into leaving his vehicle before stealing it. In Nakhon Sawan, he is said to have disguised himself as a monk to steal a laptop. He has also been accused of robbing a petrol station attendant.

 

When officers recovered the stolen taxi, they found monk’s robes, donation envelopes and Buddhist fundraising documents insid, items allegedly used as props to facilitate his impersonation.

 

Following his arrest, Wiwat was taken back to a petrol station in Ayutthaya to reenact one of his crimes as part of the police investigation. Several victims from different provinces were also present to identify him. Authorities confirmed that further charges are now being prepared.

 

image.png  Adapted by Asean Now from Daily News 2025-09-07

 

 

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