The police and Religious Affairs Department yesterday rounded up three Buddhist monks and four novices from Burma for illegal entry, as well as two Thai fake monks.
The arrests were made after police and the department deployed police and monastic police to check 10 areas in the city following complaints that monks or fake monks had been illegally soliciting donations there.
During the sweep the officials also arrested a Thai monk and three Thai men for allegedly soliciting donations without permission from the department.
The areas were Bang Khun Thien, Klong Toey, Mahanak Intersection, Soi Sukhumvit 91, Bang Chak, Bang Khae, Udomsuk Market, Rungcharoen Market, Sathupradit, Din Daeng Market, Saphan Song, Chan Road, Yingcharoen Market and Prachachuen.
Maj-General Surasit Sangkhapong, commander of the Crime Suppression Division, said the Burmese monks and novices would be deported by the Immigration Bureau.
He said the two Thai fake monks had been identified as Somchai Pongkhamyai, 72, and Na Nongthai, 49. They will face charges for impersonating monks and illegally soliciting donations.
The Thai monk, Phra Tim Chanthachoto, 56, agreed to leave the monkhood following his arrest, he said.
The three men who were arrested and face charges for illegally soliciting donations in the name of temples were identified as Sompong Pumwanpen, 35, Lek Arjcharoen, 31 and Kriangkrai Khamsaard, 38.