Monk Defrocked After Robbing Phuket 'money Tree'

[Lite Beer]

Monk defrocked after robbing Phuket ‘money tree’

Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: A monk chose to be defrocked at the main temple in Phuket Town, Wat Wichit Sangkharam this afternoon after being caught stealing a temple donations “money tree” and running off with 1,000 baht in cash.

Wichit Police were alerted to the theft at 11:30am after local residents near Wat Nakaram (map here) reported a monk absconding with a merit-making “tree” from a local mom-and-pop store.

“The monk went into the store and asked to use the restroom. When he came out he grabbed the money tree and bolted out of the shop,” Sub Lt Sakorn Naklert explained.

“We searched the immediate area and found the bucket the money tree had been in, but none of donation envelopes were found,” he said.

However, while police continued their search for the monk, a group of local villagers caught the 56-year-old in the act of discarding the money tree, now stripped of its cash-filled envelopes.

“After searching his few possessions, we found that the monk was named in his identification book as Phra Boonmee Pasanajitto. He was ordained as a monk at Wat Potan in Chaiyaphum province in 1999. Before he entered the monkhood, his name was Boonmee Wichaisuek,” Sub Lt Sakorn said.

“We also found eight empty donation envelopes and 1,000 baht cash in his bag,” he added.

As Mr Boonmee denied to police that he stole the tree, the officers took him to Wat Wichit Sankharam, where senior monks deliberated whether or not Phra Boonmee should be disrobed for his conduct.

“At first he denied the allegations. However, he eventually agreed to leave the monkhood as the people who caught him said they would not let him go until he was no longer a monk,” Sub Lt Sakorn said.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...tree-19963.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2013-01-15

[clockman]

You have to love these, so called Buddhists!

[Payboy]

There's no doubt some monks are into it for the perks.

[Para]

'the monk was named in his identification book as Phra Boonmee Pasanajitto'

More like Phra Boon mai mee!

[maturebrit]

speechless!!!!!!!!!

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[doctorproc156]

He must have been doing this for years

[IrishIvan]

Im suspect on the monks collecting alms in the morning, how can you be sure they are real monks?

[geriatrickid]

How is this crime different than the holy rollers that sell the amulets or that make the rounds looking for donations?

How many wats actually have transparency in their fundraising? How many of the foreigners that give money actually know where the money goes?

[hansgruber]

Get rid of buddha and start to worship the baht.

Majority of society do anyway.

[Guest]

Im suspect on the monks collecting alms in the morning, how can you be sure they are real monks?

If they are barefoot, they probably are.

[laislica]

Get rid of buddha and start to worship the baht.

Majority of society do anyway.

Surely it's all about "Lucky"

True, lucky includes money but it is a much wider point of view.

Lucky to have good health.

Lucky to overcome difficulties quickly and easily.

Lucky in love.

Of course lucky for money.

[Bpuumike]

Tree money makes a change from tea money (well, keep the change)

[renrut salohcin]

He must have been doing this for years

Why?

[renrut salohcin]

Im suspect on the monks collecting alms in the morning, how can you be sure they are real monks?

Have his ID checked.

[belg]

anybody can become a monk and fugitives and criminals are the best customers if they want to disappear... but a thief remains a thief...

[khaowong1]

anybody can become a monk and fugitives and criminals are the best customers if they want to disappear... but a thief remains a thief...

This is not exactly true. Before you can become a monk, you are scrutinized by both the Abbot and the lay people who take responsibility for the temple. At my temple, Wat Kao Lang, in Khok Samrong, Lopburi, many people are turned away by my Abbot. And yes, some are in it for the money, prestige, lazy, etc and etc. But not all. If you have a doubt if a monk walking bindabot, alms rounds, is a monk, ask the Thai people, they know the difference. Real monks never ask for money.. That is completely agains't our rules. And we dam_n sure don't steal from the money tree.

Again, for all you farangs out there. If you have a doubt about whether a person in a orange robe is a real monk, ask the Thai people around you. They know all the real monks for sure. There are four things that will get you kicked out of the monkhood. 1. Killing, not necessarily mosquito's, but most animals including snakes, mice, rats, etc. 2. Stealing, 3. Having sex, with male or female, 4. Pretending you have supernatuaral powers.

[Anuman]

It makes me think about a "real" Buddhist monk in a very well know temple in Samui who took and touch money in the hand of my wife. What and who do you want to believe after that???

[Buckaroo]

Ban all religion and these sorts of problems are solved, all around the world.

[Paangjang]

Get rid of buddha and start to worship the baht.

Majority of society do anyway.

My friend Jim in Malaysia stated this years ago. Check out my signature. Bahtism!!!