"New Cult" Warriors of Light Saving the World: Examining Fraud Boundaries and Religious Teachings Integration
The online community is abuzz with news of a new cult led by Professor Sribunruang from Nong Bua Lamphu province, inviting people to become Warriors of Light to save the world. They claim that training opens a 16th eye in the middle of the forehead, ushering in the Sriwilai era. Meanwhile, society views this as possibly distorted beliefs that risk deception.
Several clips appear to recruit people into a belief group calling themselves Warriors of Light or World-Saving Warriors. The content states that those selected will become part of a global leadership network, with organizational charts and declarations from the cult.
Some clips claim that the 16th eye between the eyebrows can be opened through continuous practice following the group's methods. Certain content also asserts the ability to create dimensional portals or transport participants to other realms, raising societal concerns about appropriateness and scientific feasibility.
Thairath Online's special report consulted a lawyer who explained that legally, complaints about such a new cult require evidence of collecting money without providing goods or services, or making claims about impossible outcomes. However, if payment leads to receiving actual items or participation in agreed activities, it does not constitute a legal offense.
The line defining fraud includes deception that money paid will lead to wealth, or promises of events that never occur, or activities that are impossible. This offense applies regardless of the amount; even 1-2 baht is considered illegal.
The lawyer noted that religious claims often mix Buddhist teachings or beliefs, such as the word “Phuttho” or references to enlightenment. Typically, "offenses against religion" concern religious objects or places, while "teachings" are generally not criminal offenses directly.
However, under the Computer Crime Act, if distorted teachings or false information are introduced into computer systems or social media, this may constitute the offense of introducing false data into computer systems.
