Fake Monk Scammers

[peciacake]

Most if not all of the expat community are aware of Thai men masquerading as Buddhist monks, usually walking from village to village asking for food or small amounts of cash. This scam is a variation on the usual theme.
Today we had two young "monks" enter the property, ignoring our Thai gardener's request that they wait on the street for Yuri to speak with them. Normally the gate is locked and there is a DO NOT Enter Without Permission sign right in the middle of the gate. They came up to the house, with Pon our gardener announcing they had ignored his instruction to stay on the street. Their story and appearance gave them away straight away. Nice new robes, freshly shaven heads - scalps were still white and both in their early to mid twenties. The story was tissue thin. They were from another village (Yuri had never heard of it) and were building a new temple. They were asking for 2,000 THB to cover purchase of cement. They claimed the head monk from Ahyong Temple had sent them to see us as Yuri "was a good Buddhist" and they had also spoken with the Pu Yai Baan (Yuri's cousin) who said we'd be happy to donate. Apart from Yuri being about the worst Buddhist I know, Yuri's cousin would never send someone to our place unannounced. She would always call Yuri first. So after a bit of back and forth where they dug themselves a deeper hole, we sent them on their way. Not before they asked plenty of questions about our house, to which they were politely told to mind their own business. This was what really caused some concern. Were they casing the place for an attempted robbery some where down the track?

After they left Yuri called her cousin, who immediately checked with other Pu Yai Baans. Found out these guys were doing the rounds, and had been kicked out of two neighboring villages earlier this morning. The police were also on their case. I noticed the truck they left in wasn't from Surin. Couldn't say where but it definitely didn't have Surin plates.

So be aware please people - they are out there, as active as ever. Hopes this helps stop someone from getting scammed / robbed.

[Edmond]

Sound's about right. Just make sure the dog's not pregnant.

[Pragmatic]

I keep telling my missus monks are low life. She agrees but still donates when asked.

[malmomike77]

I'd have just got the truck out and said I'm right up for a donation, off we go to the wat. If they still were up for it I would pop them to the nearest bib station.

[Edmond]

I'd have just got the truck out and said I'm right up for a donation, off we go to the wat. If they still were up for it I would pop them to the nearest bib station.

Before or after knocking out Roy Keane?

[Shutree]

The CWMS does her religious stuff and goes off to the temple for all the important dates, but she'll have nothing at all to do with these itinerant types, even some of the older men walking alone who look about as genuine as can be. She absolutely refuses to offer a ride to any of them, she says only offer a small bottle of water, at most.

I'm pleased to say that we haven't had to deal with any of these men calling at the house. That could get uncomfortable.

[Seekingasylum]

Given pretty much everything in this ghastly medieval snakepit of a country is a lie, why should the monk mafia and its fellow travellers be any different.

[Slimmer]

Given pretty much everything in this ghastly medieval snakepit of a country is a lie, why should the monk mafia and its fellow travellers be any different.

Are you enjoying your life living in Thailand ?

[Slimmer]

Given pretty much everything in this ghastly medieval snakepit of a country is a lie, why should the monk mafia and its fellow travellers be any different.

Are you enjoying your life living in Thailand ?