Fourteen people accused of impersonating monks were reportedly taken for guidance and required to sign undertakings after preparing to enter the alms-giving ceremony at Kratie’s Tenth River Festival. The provincial Department of Cults and Religion and law-enforcement officers took them aside on the morning of March 28 in front of the provincial hall, during a ceremony dedicated to ancestors and fallen soldiers.
Department chief Sou Sae said they were not genuine monks entering the event improperly, but people who had shaved their heads and put on robes to impersonate monks. He said questioning prompted by suspicion revealed irregularities.
He said the department cooperated with officers in further questioning, during which the group admitted impersonating monks to make a living. They were given guidance, signed undertakings to stop the conduct and were released.
Writer: Nget Pisant.
