Moddam Clears the Air on Monk Pae, Denies Knowing About Dating Men; Not Says Spiritual Power Comes from Luang Pu Hongsa
TV host Moddam denied knowing about Monk Pae's alleged secret dating while clarifying that photos with the Surin monk were from her television program promoting the province, not evidence of personal wrongdoing.
Television host Moddam Kachapa found herself in the headlines again after photos surfaced showing her with Monk Pae from Surin province, known as "Carbon Monk," via the Saw Bao page. The controversy intensified when Saw Bao posted the images with a caption claiming Moddam had gotten into trouble after being photographed with the monk, alleging that Pae had secretly dated young men and frequently met them for meals in vehicles. Saw Bao later clarified that Moddam herself wasn't at fault, stating that celebrities visiting monks or spiritual figures is merely a matter of personal belief and faith, and if there were wrongdoing, it lay with the monk himself and his character. Saw Bao also suggested that the "Carbon Monk" would unlikely be ordained at any temple again due to his history.
Moddam addressed the rumors during a reveal episode on May 12, 2025, explaining that Pae had called her "mother" from the beginning and that her family had performed merit-making at Luang Pu Hongsa's temple, which holds spiritual significance. She clarified that the shared photos were from her television program and that she was promoting Surin province, even featuring Surin beef in the episode. Not Vorarut supported her statement, noting that Moddam had encouraged Pae to practice the monastic life properly, as Pae had followed Luang Pu Hongsa since childhood.
Moddam emphasized that she didn't know about Pae dating men and had simply been conducting interviews as part of her program work. She defended Not against accusations of falsely claiming spiritual authority, insisting that Not only spoke about Luang Pu Hongsa's spiritual power and that she herself took full responsibility for any issues. Regarding claims that she had escaped the influence of Ajarn Phaisarn, Moddam admitted that while she thought she had moved past it, she remained entangled and now accepts full accountability, stating she no longer dares to guarantee anyone's character. Despite living a routine life without attending events, she acknowledged being the subject of news stories every week. She explained that her involvement with spiritual figures and monks stemmed from her faith in Luang Pu Hongsa and her desire to promote Surin's economy, adding that she had helped various people including a large woman by installing air conditioning and assisting with soup kitchen operations. Moddam concluded by noting that while many good monks still exist, she no longer dares to vouch for anyone's character.
