Manit Keawsen 33, and Sod Namjaidee, 49, both from Suphanburi, were arrested on Phrabaramee Rd after a call from a resident who was suspicious about their authenticity.
After the call, patrol officers were sent to look for the duo and found them talking to people on the street and handing out envelopes. When asked for their official monks’ IDs, both men said they had forgotten to bring the IDs with them.
Both were sent to Kathu for questioning and were searched. Officers found 1,000 donation envelopes with the address of a wat in Kanchanaburi, along with B2,780 in cash and – the real giveaway – some condoms.
A check with police records showed that both had been arrested before, in Hua Hin, for posing as monks. Manit was also arrested in August for possession of drugs.
The two admitted masquerading as monks, and said they could make B8,000 to B10,000 a day and used the money for partying and drugs.
They were defrocked and charged with fraud and misleading people into believing they were Buddhist monks.