Thai Clergy Warns of Kathin Donation Scams

On November 9, 2026, Phra Wachiraworakani, secretary to the Trat provincial ecclesiastical chief and abbot of Wat Yothanimit, issued a formal warning to temples across Thailand. The alert follows reports of individuals visiting temples to request large quantities of 'Kathin' donation envelopes under the guise of collecting funds from the public for merit-making. Instead of returning the collected donations to the temples, these individuals are reportedly keeping the funds for personal gain. This fraudulent activity has been observed at multiple temples in Trat province during the current Kathin season, a period when Buddhist temples traditionally hold annual robe-offering ceremonies. Monks are being urged to exercise caution when distributing donation envelopes to strangers. For residents and travelers, this serves as a reminder to ensure that any charitable contributions made during the Kathin season are given directly to temple officials or through official, verified channels to ensure the funds reach their intended destination. It remains to be confirmed how many individuals have been affected by these scams and whether law enforcement agencies have launched a formal investigation into the organized nature of these activities.