Fake 'Dr. Saibun' Swindles Contractor in Temple Construction Scam

On October 25, 2026, Amnuay, a 59-year-old contractor from Buriram, along with local construction workers, filed a complaint with Thannawat Nareeram, president of the Social Volunteer Assistance Club. They allege a well-dressed woman claiming to be 'Dr. Saibun' — who had previously led a Kathin robe-offering ceremony at the temple — contacted them via foreman to hire them for plaster work on a temple construction project. After completing the work as agreed, the woman refused to pay the 100,000 baht owed, leaving Amnuay unable to pay his eight workers.

When Amnuay confronted the temple abbot, he was told the abbot had no knowledge of any hiring arrangement. An outsider who had brought the Kathin ceremony to the temple had volunteered to manage the entire construction project independently, keeping the abbot and temple uninvolved. This person also took the temple's rubber stamp to handle finances and raise funds for the building.

Amnuay has since filed a police report, and the volunteer club will pursue a civil case to recover the money. It emerged that several other contractors have been similarly cheated. Amnuay said he had to borrow money to partially pay his workers and appealed to the woman to have compassion for laborers earning daily wages.

One worker, Boonjan, said he took the job to support his family but was shocked to learn the employer had reneged on payment. A local resident, Urai, expressed dismay that the temple construction has stalled due to the wage dispute and urged anyone wishing to contribute to contact the abbot directly.

Thannawat confirmed the club received the complaint and verified with the abbot, who denied any involvement in the project's financial management. The outsider had assumed full control, including bookkeeping and using the temple's rubber stamp to solicit construction funds. Thannawat noted that multiple workers are known to have been deceived in this scheme.