Men in monk robes ask for money in Bugis during CNY, public calls police

The police were called to Waterloo Street in Bugis on Feb. 17 and 18, the first two days of Chinese New Year, after members of the public grew frustrated with groups of people asking for money by seeking alms.

The groups of people seen in monk robes were purportedly not local and only asked for money, but not food.

One monk claim to have arrived a week ago: Shin Min

According to Shin Min Daily News, one of these monks, whom they queried, shared that he had arrived in Singapore a week ago and was currently staying at a hotel.

He was unwilling to reveal which religious organisation he belonged to or discuss whether he was asking for food donations.

The man, who was wearing a robe belonging to the Theravada Buddhist tradition, hurriedly left after seeing media cameras.

A volunteer, who was nearby, told Shin Min that a number of people would be seen asking for donations without permits during the CNY period along Waterloo Street.

The man shared that he had seen several men in monk robes seated on a long bench and asking for donations.

"I believe they are from Thailand. The police have stepped up their enforcement. However, they come every year, probably to try their luck," Tan said.

One woman selling flowers near the Waterloo Street temple pointed out that for the past two days, she had seen such individuals asking for donations from 7am.

"They only ask for money. I don't have a good feeling about them," she told Shin Min.

On the first day of CNY on Feb. 17, the police were called in after a dispute between members of the public and a group of men in monk robes, Shin Min wrote.

The group of men were later encouraged by the police to disperse.

Shin Min also reported similar occurrences in 2025, although the police did not get involved then.

One monk attempted to deflect questions with S$2

According to Shin Min, a man in monk robes at Waterloo Street attempted to deflect the reporter's queries with S$2, but quickly left after it was refused.

The man was initially seen being led away from the nearby hawker centre by policemen.

A staff from a nearby shop shared that the man in question was actually local, and would often be seen in the vicinity with an alms bowl.

Some passersby would offer him cash donations out of sympathy.

The staff pointed out that the foreign men in monk robes around Waterloo Street appeared more suspicious as they would often approach passersby for money.

Members of public advised to be vigilant

Speaking to Shin Min, the President of Singapore's Buddhist Federation advised that temples do not typically send monks to ask for donations.

Monks who experience financial difficulties can seek assistance from charities, he said.

He also shared that any donation drives will require permits and advised members of the public to remain vigilant against giving donations to suspicious persons who purport to be monks.

A committee member and monk from Palelai Buddhist Temple told Shin Min that monks from the Theravada tradition practice fasting in the afternoon, and do not typically seek alms at that time of day.

Palelai Buddhist Temple is a temple in Singapore that practices Theravada Buddhism.

Top image via Shin Min Daily News