“Pong Suphan” insists on distinguishing faith from superstition. He addresses the issue of donating 1 kilogram of gold to help build the Phor Jatukam Ramathep statue, revealing his family's disappointment. He sighs and says, “Faith is beyond doubt, but faith can still be defeated by superstition.” He adds that from now on, he will accept blame if any wrongdoing is found. He emphasizes that he no longer wears the 'Nuea Duang' amulet and plans to have it melted down and sold. He now venerates Luang Pho Sothorn instead.
On 22 September 2026, after giving testimony for over two hours, at 1:00 p.m., Mr. Samer Niu-ngam, known as “Pong Suphan,” a prominent amulet expert, gave an interview after meeting with investigators from Division 1, Crime Suppression Division, to provide information related to a case involving a former abbot. Pong Suphan revealed that he came to give testimony and provide useful information for the investigation on several matters.
Pong Suphan said that regarding his role as a board member of the Huan Choti Foundation, which was established by Mr. Atichot Thanprasert, the former abbot of Phutthaisawan Temple, he stated that he did not have authority to authorize payments. Only three people had that power: the former abbot’s mother, the secretary, and the treasurer. Therefore, he was unaware of financial matters and was not involved in the foundation’s finances. He confirmed he never interfered with temple funds and that the accounts could be audited. He stressed that he never took temple money; instead, he donated money as an act of merit, including gold donated to cover the statue.
Regarding the question about the 1 kilogram of gold he donated, Pong Suphan said the gold was given to cover the Phor Jatukam Ramathep statue at the temple, which he respects and believes in.
He explained that there was a plan to cover the entire statue with gold, so craftsmen were consulted to estimate that about 9 kilograms of gold would be needed. He was one of the devotees who donated 1 kilogram of gold. Currently, about 2 kilograms of gold remain with the craftsmen, being processed. Today, he informed the Crime Suppression Division that the craftsmen had contacted the foundation to return the gold so it can be used to complete covering the statue or handed over to the temple for further action.
Pong Suphan also urged whoever becomes the next abbot or takes over temple management not to damage the statue. If possible, he hopes for restoration or construction of a separate shrine so devotees and believers of Phor Jatukam Ramathep can come to pay respects and seek blessings.
He emphasized that the temple has its sacredness and good things. Anyone who is not proper and has left must be removed, as he cannot accept otherwise.
Regarding the issue about Ajarn Chot not handling money, Pong Suphan explained that he started visiting the temple in 2009 and was ordained there on 26 October 2016 under Luang Pho Hon, the former abbot of Phutthaisawan Temple. He donated 60 wooden posts, each 6 meters long, but Luang Pho Hon told him to store them inside because of termites, so they were left in a pond. After Luang Pho Hon passed away and Ajarn Chot became abbot, Ajarn Chot retrieved all 60 posts and used them to build a meditation center, which increased Pong Suphan’s faith.
Pong Suphan said that during conversations, Ajarn Chot mentioned having no money and not building the temple. Restoring the temple would cost about 200-300 million baht. Ajarn Chot said he would not touch temple funds. When Luang Pho Hon died, the temple’s account had about 26 million baht, but recently Pong Suphan learned from investigators that the temple had more funds than that.
When asked about how to restore the temple, Pong Suphan said that amulets were created, with him managing and contacting manufacturers. The temple directly paid for these. After the amulets were made and consecrated, he made shirts or yantra cloths. He never used temple money himself but conducted ceremonies, publicized events, and invited people to make merit because of his faith and desire to help build the temple.
Pong Suphan said that money can indeed be found, but ultimately the temple was not built as intended. He apologizes to disciples and elders whom he had previously encouraged to make merit because he truly had faith. He added that after these events, he must separate faith from superstition, expressing deep sorrow because his family genuinely believed.
Regarding the 'Nuea Duang' amulet, Pong Suphan said the batch made in 2006 was before he started attending the temple. For later batches, such as the 'Miracle Nuea Duang' series, he helped promote reservations to raise money for temple restoration. But since the former abbot did not use the funds as intended, he cannot accept that. He has provided information to investigators. Currently, no one in his family wears the 'Nuea Duang' amulet anymore; they will have it melted down and sold, with proceeds donated. He now venerates Luang Pho Sothorn.
Regarding amulets made by former monk Chot that he owns, Pong Suphan said that whenever amulets were made, he paid the same price as others for the ones he reserved. Some were reserved by friends and shared with team members who wanted them. He keeps only one set for himself to wear.
Pong Suphan said that if he won a special lottery number for an amulet and someone offered a high price, he would not sell it but keep it. He does not possess many amulets and shares them among those he brought along or who joined auctions as a way of making merit.
Regarding rare amulets in his possession, Pong Suphan said the rare ones might be from the 'Nuea Duang' series, which are quite valuable and popular, especially among foreigners from Hong Kong, who buy them at high prices. He has heard that some were bought directly from Ajarn Chot for 15 million baht. He believes those who own these amulets accept them because they represent the statue, not Ajarn Chot himself.
About the former abbot inviting him to be a board member, Pong Suphan said the former abbot explained the objectives. He would not have agreed otherwise. The purpose was to restore the temple, and board members and disciples were to help raise money for construction. Then amulets were created and money donated to the temple, which handled sales and payments directly.
Regarding 'Sika Ae' (a female devotee) entering the temple around the same time as him, Pong Suphan said she came later, and he only saw her about one or two years ago. Even close disciples did not know much. One disciple called to say they felt deceived for 20 years, and Pong Suphan felt sorry for some disciples who had cared for and driven for her.
On temple finances, Pong Suphan confirmed he was unaware because the accounts were managed by the former abbot. When he made merit donations, he transferred money to an account under Mr. Chot’s name and had clear transfer evidence, such as donating 200,000 firecrackers costing about 30,000-32,000 baht, which he transferred and notified.
Pong Suphan said all news agencies contacted him, but he had not wanted to appear on programs because he felt hurt and could not accept what happened. He asked authorities to pursue legal proceedings, holding wrongdoers accountable. Since the Crime Suppression Division called him, he came to provide information as a witness, hoping it would aid the investigation.
He added that if he did not have faith, he would not have brought boxers to pay respects. Recently, before the case arose, he still took boxers to worship, and they won competitions.
Regarding the foundation issuing donation receipts, Pong Suphan said he has already given information to investigators. The foundation cannot issue donation receipts; only the temple issues those. Money received by the foundation is used to buy medical equipment, transferred directly to a medical company, and to buy rice to distribute to people, as part of the foundation’s activities.
On his role as a foundation board member, Pong Suphan said someone suggested it because of his faith and belief that the foundation could do good. He accepted but had no authority or meetings to discuss foundation matters. The former abbot was the one who signed off on payments.
Pong Suphan said the secretary has already provided explanations. The foundation has seven board members, five of whom attended to clarify today. He recently became a board member, as the foundation was established only on 19 November last year, so funds were not large. He was not very involved due to lack of payment authority, being only a board member.
Asked how many times funds had been disbursed, Pong Suphan said he did not know because there were no meeting minutes. The secretary, treasurer, and Ajarn Chot would know. He was just one board member like others and was unaware of details.
Asked if any money went into his personal account, Pong Suphan said Mr. Chot had a personal account, and for amulet projects, he donated cash.
Finally, Pong Suphan sighed and said, “Faith is beyond doubt, but faith can still be defeated by superstition.” He thanked all reporters and apologized to those he had invited to visit the temple and make merit, believing that those who donated gained merit. However, those who diverted funds must face consequences.
Reports state that at about 12:35 p.m., Pol. Maj. Gen. Jaroonkiat Pankaew, Deputy Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, visited to observe the interrogation of Pong Suphan, a renowned amulet expert, by investigators from Division 1, Crime Suppression Division.