Holy smokes! Runaway monks in love go from robes to rogues
Police arrested two former monks fleeing from a temple in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen to the central province of Ratchaburi after their secret relationship was exposed and were implicated in operating an embezzlement scheme and a mule account.
Locals in the Ban Haet district of Khon Kaen contacted highway police and reported that two monks, 24 year old Anupong and 24 year old Anusorn, were living in the same accommodation and secretly engaging in sexual activity.
Highway police coordinated with local officers supervising the area and discovered that the two monks were subject to arrest warrants. Anupong was wanted for operating a mule account while Anusorn was wanted for embezzlement.
Police raided the accommodation within the temple to arrest the two monks but they were alerted and managed to escape. Further investigation revealed that the pair travelled to Ratchaburi province to work on a sugarcane plantation.
Police later found the couple on the roadside in Ratchaburi province. They attempted to flee again but were unsuccessful. Anupong eventually admitted to his criminal actions. He now faces imprisonment for one year and six months, according to the court’s verdict.
Anusorn also confessed to the embezzlement, explaining that he rented a motorcycle but refused to return it to the owner. The suspect claimed he was too afraid to return the vehicle because it was damaged in an accident.
While officers were arresting the two former monks, another man, identified as 20 year old Jakkaphan, continued to cry. He told police that he was a relative of the two suspects.
Police requested to check his ID card and discovered that he was wanted on three arrest warrants, leading to his detention.
In a related incident, a famous and respected monk from the Isaan province of Maha Sarakham was caught having a relationship with a woman after she shared their love story on social media.
The discovery of this romantic relationship raised suspicions of embezzlement. The couple was allegedly attempting to raise 100 million baht from donations and merit-making ceremonies. The investigation into the alleged embezzlement is ongoing, but there are no updates on the case.
