The Royal Thai Police Commissioner-General announced that the Crime Suppression Division has concluded the case against "Ajarn Ton," who claimed to be a mystic and defrauded victims, mostly celebrities and socialites, into paying fees for karmic reduction, resulting in losses exceeding 50 million baht due to fraud.
At 10:30 a.m. on 2 Mar 2024 GMT+7, at the press conference room on the 2nd floor of the Crime Suppression Division headquarters, Police Lieutenant General Natsakorn Chaowanasi, Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, Police Major General Phatthanasak Bubphasuwan, Commander of the Crime Suppression Division, Police Colonel Pathak Kwan-na, Deputy Commander, Acting Police Colonel Jetanipat Siriwat, Superintendent of Division 1, and Police Lieutenant Colonel Somdet Sarabun, Deputy Superintendent of Division 1, along with Mr. Piya Sriwika, Director of Case Division 2 at the Anti-Money Laundering Office, jointly summarized the operation "Ending 'Ajarn Ton' the Avatar of the Creator: Reducing and Eliminating Karma, the Money Laundering Network Disguised as Saints."
Previously, the Crime Suppression Division arrested Mr. Chawit Sunthornrat, known as "Ajarn Ton," 48 years old, outside a condominium in the Phetkasem area of Phasi Charoen District, Bangkok, after celebrities and socialites reported being defrauded of over 50 million baht. He was remanded in custody at the Criminal Court last Friday on charges of conspiracy to defraud the public and money laundering.
Police Lieutenant General Natsakorn revealed that investigations showed "Ajarn Ton" presented himself as a mystic, claiming to be possessed by a sacred entity called the "Creator," able to communicate spiritually with karmic creditors, and asserted he was greater than gods or religious prophets. He and his wife, Miss Pimphon, deceived victims into joining the "Mind and Soul" spiritual practice group, organizing rituals to check fortunes and falsely claiming victims had karmic debts from past lives. Victims were pressured to pay fees for spiritual teaching and karmic reduction as a shortcut to nirvana, faster than general merit-making, warned that if money was transferred to the wrong account, "spirits would not leave." They created a network recruiting others as members to build merit. At least 14 victims were identified, with evidence showing over 15 million baht transferred; total money received exceeds 50 million baht, with some victims transferring funds up to 8,000 times. One victim was actress Mummee Pimdao Panichsamai, defrauded of 8 million baht.
This amount does not include donations through other channels, such as cash contributions or the case of actress Data Daralcharas Sukheewiriya, who was defrauded into buying land for a spiritual center at 50 million baht; this case is being prosecuted separately.
Examinations found all funds were transferred into personal accounts of the "Ajarn Ton" network and front companies. "Ajarn Ton" used the money to live lavishly, purchasing a luxury house valued at 30 million baht and 2-3 luxury cars, totaling assets worth over 40 million baht, rather than conducting the rituals he claimed. After victims began exposing him, "Ajarn Ton" and his associates fled the country but returned to Thailand naturally and were subsequently arrested.
Police Major General Phatthanasak added that "Ajarn Ton" had a prior record: in 2014, he committed insurance fraud by falsely claiming his wife had died to collect over 4 million baht in compensation, although she was alive. He was prosecuted for conspiracy to defraud and declared bankrupt by court order on 26 July 2022. He later adopted the identity "Ajarn Ton" to defraud people. He denied all charges during interrogation. Police are currently seeking to question his wife further to expand the investigation.
Actresses Data Daralcharas and Mummee Pimdao, victims in this case, gave interviews to the media. Mummee said in 2024 she suffered from accumulated stress leading to depression and difficulty detaching from a TV series character. Despite seeing psychiatrists and monks, she found no relief until a friend recommended "Ajarn Ton." He told her that her symptoms of headaches, stomach pain, and insomnia required payments for karmic reduction. Each payment varied, with the highest reaching 1 million baht at once. She also donated to support spiritual rituals, losing a total of 8 million baht.
Data explained that as a new follower, "Ajarn Ton" initially emphasized normal spiritual teachings and charity, encouraging merit-making anywhere as equal, to gain trust. Once she believed him, he insisted that "making merit with Ajarn Ton is best," warning that "spirits will not leave if donations are not made." Knowing she had established other spiritual centers before, he persuaded her to buy land in Khao Yai, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, to build another center, causing losses totaling about 50 million baht. She frequently saw other celebrities visiting the "Ajarn Ton" center but was unaware if they had filed complaints. She feels relieved now that the suspect has been arrested.