Fake Monks Scam Trat Temples During Kathin Festival
Authorities in Trat province have warned Buddhist temples about impostor monks soliciting Kathin festival donation envelopes under false pretenses. The fraudsters claim they will distribute the envelopes to relatives for merit-making but instead sell them at flea markets for personal profit. The provincial Buddhist hierarchy secretary urged temples to verify identities and refuse requests from unknown individuals to prevent further scams during the festival season.
Trat — The provincial Buddhist hierarchy secretary has issued a warning to the Sangha to be vigilant against impostor monks soliciting "Kathin envelopes" at temples. These individuals claim they will distribute the envelopes to relatives for joint merit-making, but ultimately abscond with the donations for personal profit without returning the money to the temples.
November 9, 2026 — Phra Wachiraworakan, Secretary of the Trat Provincial Buddhist Hierarchy and Abbot of Wat Yothanimit, disclosed that during the current Kathin festival season, when temples across Trat and throughout Thailand hold Kathin ceremonies, the Sangha has received reports of groups of impostor monks traveling to various temples in Trat province requesting "Kathin envelopes." They claim the envelopes will be given to relatives to make merit together.
Believing the requesters had charitable intentions, temples handed over varying amounts as requested. However, it later emerged that the envelopes were taken and used for personal gain at flea markets without any money being returned to the temples. The Sangha has already received reports from multiple temples.
"During the Kathin festival, groups often contact temples asking for Kathin envelopes, claiming they will redistribute dozens of them. In the past, monks may have viewed this positively and without suspicion, so they handed over the envelopes. But this behavior has been found occurring more frequently in Trat, with reports that temple Kathin envelopes were taken to flea markets without any clear origin or destination," Phra Wachiraworakan said.
He stated that due to this situation, the Sangha must heighten vigilance and increase warnings. He emphasized that anyone receiving Kathin envelopes for redistribution must be a local resident or someone known and clearly identifiable to the temple. If strangers or outsiders request envelopes without credible information, temples should delay or refuse immediately to prevent impostors from exploiting Kathin envelopes for improper gain.
