Bangkok: The Crime Suppression Division police have concluded the investigation into "Ajarn Ton," a self-proclaimed miracle worker who deceived numerous individuals, amassing over 50 million baht through fraudulent "karma reduction" services.
According to Thai News Agency, Police Lieutenant General Nattasak Chaowanasai, Commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, disclosed details about the operation titled "Bringing an End to 'Ajarn Ton,' the Avatar of the Creator Who Reduces and Eliminates Karma." The operation exposed a money laundering scheme masquerading as spiritual services. The Crime Suppression Division apprehended Mr. Chawit, known as Ajarn Ton, outside a condominium in the Phasi Charoen District of Bangkok. Celebrities and high-society figures lodged complaints against him for defrauding them of over 50 million baht. Last Friday, Ajarn Ton was remanded in custody at the Criminal Court on charges of conspiracy to defraud the public and money laundering.
Investigations revealed that Ajarn Ton pretended to be a spiritual medium, claiming divine possession and a unique ability to communicate with karmic debtors. He deceived victims into attending a retreat named "Mind and Soul" and organized events to falsely diagnose karmic debts from past lives. Victims were coerced into paying "teacher's fees" and "karmic reduction fees" under the pretense that it would expedite their journey to Nirvana. He claimed that monetary transfers to incorrect accounts would prevent spiritual relief. Ajarn Ton expanded his influence by recruiting members into his fraudulent network, with at least 14 documented victims transferring sums totaling over 15 million baht. Overall, Ajarn Ton's account received over 50 million baht, with victims making up to 8,000 transactions. Among the victims was actress Pimdao Panichsamai, who lost 8 million baht.
The fraudulent activities extended beyond direct transfers, encompassing donations through cash and an incident involving actress Data Dralcharas Sukhiwiriya, who was misled into purchasing land to build a meditation center for 50 million baht, which is a separate legal case.
The investigation further uncovered that Ajarn Ton used the illicit funds to finance an extravagant lifestyle, acquiring a luxury house valued at 30 million baht and multiple high-end vehicles, with assets exceeding 40 million baht in total. Contrary to his claims, the money was not used for any spiritual rituals. Eventually, victims exposed the fraudulent scheme, forcing Ajarn Ton and his associates to flee the country, only to return through illegal channels until their eventual arrest.
A look into Ajarn Ton's past revealed a history of fraud, including a 2014 incident where he deceived an insurance company by falsely reporting his wife's death to claim over 4 million baht. He was prosecuted for conspiracy to commit fraud and declared bankrupt on July 26, 2022, before resorting to his latest scams. Ajarn Ton has denied all charges, and the police are actively searching for his wife to gather more information and expand the investigation.
Victims, including actresses Data Dralcharas and Mudmee Pimdao, attended the press conference and later spoke to the media. Mudmee shared her experience from 2024, citing that stress and depression led her to seek out Ajarn Ton's services, which resulted in a financial loss of 8 million baht under the guise of "karma reduction." Data recounted that she was initially introduced to standard Buddhist principles before being manipulated into believing that donations to Ajarn Ton were the most meritorious, leading to her donating approximately 50 million baht. She expressed relief that Ajarn Ton had been apprehended, despite her uncertainty about other victims filing police reports.