Fake Chinese monks held for swindling

IMPOSTERS: The 10 fake Chinese monks arrested on Thursday in Samphanthawong district.

Bangkok Post
http://www.bangkokpost.com

Published: 14/06/2009

Ten Chinese men impersonating monks were recently arrested for swindling Thai devotees in Samphanthawong district, according to immigration police chief Chatchawan Suksomjit.

Pol Lt-Gen Chatchawan said the gang members had overstayed their tourist visas. They were caught while collecting cash donations and selling lucky charms to the faithful. The men, most of them from China's Hubei province, had collected about 800-1,000 baht in cash donations every day.

In Songkhla, five foreign women were arrested during a crackdown in Sadao district yesterday for exploiting the children of illegal immigrants.

The five were from China, Vietnam and Cambodia and apprehended along with 13 Vietnamese, nine Cambodian and two Thai children.

On Wednesday, 28 Nepalese were taken into custody in Phra Nakhon district for illegally entering the country. They had paid agents about US$3,000-$4,000 (102,000-136,000 baht) in the hope of starting a new life.

Pol Lt-Gen Chatchawan said they stopped over in Thailand for paperwork and were headed for a third country onboard cargo ships.