PHUKET: A group of 19 Cambodian monks collecting alms around Phuket were today exposed and disrobed and will be deported soon.
The monks were rounded up about 6pm and taken to Mongkonnimit temple in Phuket City after officers from Vichit and Kathu raided their jungle camp.
The abbot at the temple defrocked the monks in a ceremony and they changed into civilian clothes.
Sleeping in the bush under awnings, the Cambodian monks were making the rounds as Thai monks do soon after dawn each morning, collecting food and money from good Buddhists.
The monks had failed to report their presence to monks already living on Phuket.
It is believed as many as 100 Cambodian monks could be operating on the holiday island, where good Buddhists tend to be more generous than they can afford to be in Cambodia.
All of the monks apprehended today have passports but the visas of three have expired.
The 19 men had a total of 28,037 baht between them.
Under an agreement with Cambodia, as unwanted aliens they will be transferred back to the Thai-Cambodian border by VIP bus. Illegal Burmese are transported back to the Burma-Thai border in police wagons or trucks.
The monks were rounded up about 6pm and taken to Mongkonnimit temple in Phuket City after officers from Vichit and Kathu raided their jungle camp.
The abbot at the temple defrocked the monks in a ceremony and they changed into civilian clothes.
Sleeping in the bush under awnings, the Cambodian monks were making the rounds as Thai monks do soon after dawn each morning, collecting food and money from good Buddhists.
The monks had failed to report their presence to monks already living on Phuket.
It is believed as many as 100 Cambodian monks could be operating on the holiday island, where good Buddhists tend to be more generous than they can afford to be in Cambodia.
All of the monks apprehended today have passports but the visas of three have expired.
The 19 men had a total of 28,037 baht between them.
Under an agreement with Cambodia, as unwanted aliens they will be transferred back to the Thai-Cambodian border by VIP bus. Illegal Burmese are transported back to the Burma-Thai border in police wagons or trucks.
