A THAI online joke that a Thai monk who resides in Cambodia is in fact a Thai spy and was sending information to the Thai military has angered Cambodians who believe this is in fact true and want him deported, MNG Online and Naewna newspaper said today (July 31).
This joke suggested that Luang Ta Such, a prominent monk from the lower Isan region who requested to reside in Cambodia, was sending Cambodian secrets to the Thai military. The pranksters posted an image with an overlaid caption that reads: “Thai people thank Luang Ta Such for his sacrifice having entrenched himself in Cambodia then sent information about movements of Cambodian military forces throughout. He also pointed out targets for Thai F-16 and Gripen fighter jets to bombard. Cambodian people and their leaders are convinced of this.”
An online group in Cambodia, “Kun Khmer”, then shared the image with this message: “This monk is on a mission for the Siem bandits” and that he must be deported.
Luang Ta Such’s Facebook page showed that at 7 p.m. last night he was in Canada but it is uncertain he has actually fled Cambodia despite Cambodians now believing he is indeed a spy.
Luang Ta Such was expelled from Wat Pa Nong Krae in Krasang subdistrict, Krasang district, Buriram, at the end of June for violating the rules governing monks’ conduct, including maintaining peace and order within the temple.
He previously live-streamed his criticism of Surin province and said that he wanted the Cambodian military to kill all Surin residents.
He later moved to a Cambodian temple in Canada, where he continued ranting against Thailand.
He pleaded with Cambodia to let him live in their country and the neighbouring country’s authorities allowed him to do so.
He arrived in Cambodia on July 3 and was met at the airport by the Deputy Governor of Phnom Penh. The following day, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet visited him to welcome him. Meanwhile, Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen announced that he would request Cambodian citizenship for him.
CAPTION:
Top and Front Page: A false image of Luang Ta Such as a military officer and monk created by Thai pranksters.
Insert: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet meeting Luang Ta Such on July 4, 2025. Photos: MNG Online
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