KHON KAEN — A convenience store owner in Khon Kaen found an unusual solution when a Buddhist monk’s welfare card payment failed due to facial recognition issues – applying black electrical tape as temporary eyebrows.
The incident occurred at Thien Thong grocery store in Ban Non Thong, Khon Kaen province. Store owner Thitipa Pusee, 46, explained that the monk, known as Phra Lot, 45, was a regular customer before ordaining. After becoming a monk and shaving his head and eyebrows, his face no longer matched his welfare card registration.
“After multiple failed scan attempts, I considered asking him to return to the temple and try again later. Instead, we tried applying black electrical tape as makeshift eyebrows, similar to Shin-chan’s style,” Pusee said.
Another customer helped shape the tape into more realistic eyebrows, which successfully allowed the facial recognition system to work.
The security camera footage went viral after Pusee shared it on Facebook. While initially concerned about potential controversy, she noted that the monk only purchases items essential for religious purposes through his welfare card.
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