Unholy row! Drunk monk arrested, begging for cash in Chiang Rai

Another week, another monk found behaving badly, this time intoxicated while hitchhiking. He was arrested after demanding money from a young woman motorist in Chiang Rai.

The incident occurred yesterday, November 18, when police from the Mae Chan Police Station received a report from Nichawee, a 20 year old resident of Thung Ko, Wiang Chiang Rung, Chiang Rai. She recounted her encounter while driving to a tea plantation in Sri Kham, where she was flagged down by a monk walking along the roadside.

Nichawee described how the monk gestured for her to stop and requested a lift to a nearby temple. She obliged, allowing him into her vehicle but soon noticed a strong smell of alcohol.

When asked for a specific drop-off point, the monk instructed her to continue driving without providing a clear destination. As they approached a junction leading to the tea plantation, they encountered another monk standing by the roadside, prompting the first monk to request a stop.

The monk then asked for a donation of 790 baht (US$23), claiming it was to replace a damaged umbrella he used during his pilgrimage. Nichawee, only having 500 baht (US$15) available, transferred that amount instead before continuing her journey. Her growing suspicion of the monk’s behaviour led her to report the incident to the authorities at the Mae Chan Police Station.

Police officers from the Pha Mieng checkpoint were dispatched to investigate the area around the Mae Salong Nai public road in Pa Sang, Mae Chan district. They located the intoxicated monk, who was later identified as 44 year old Areek Khuntiwaro, or Aree.

Areek was visibly under the influence, emitting a strong odour of alcohol, and was incoherent in his speech, struggling to maintain composure, reported KhaoSod.

Upon questioning, Areek admitted to consuming three bottles of an alcoholic beverage named Phaya Nak. The police subsequently escorted him to Wat Pa Sang Luang in Pa Sang for disrobing before detaining him and transferring him to the Mae Chan Police Station for further legal proceedings.