Buddhist monk
- Thailand News
Monk’s miraculous escape inspires lottery frenzy over license plate
A revered Thai monk known for his amulets miraculously survived a car accident unscathed, sparking interest among local lottery enthusiasts in the vehicle’s license plate number. The incident occurred yesterday when the monk’s car flipped but neither he nor his passengers sustained serious injuries. This event has captivated the public’s attention, with many attributing the fortunate escape to the protective powers of…
- Thailand News
US Army captain defying tradition with a Buddhist twist
In a bustling Southwestern bar at a Royal Thai Navy (RTN) base, a US Army captain stood out, not just for his uniform but for the emblem adorning his cap, the Buddhist wheel of dharma, a rare sight in military circles. Chaplain (Captain) Songkran Waiyaka, one of only 10 Buddhists among over 3,000 religious leaders in the Army, often finds…
- Thailand News
Thai government issuing smart ID cards to Buddhist monks
The Thai government has begun issuing smart ID cards to over 100,000 Buddhist monks across the nation, revealed Puangpet Chunlaiad, a minister in the Prime Minister’s Office. These ID cards contain crucial details about each monk’s history and are linked to the country’s citizenship database managed by the Interior Ministry. This initiative is part of the government’s efforts to enhance…
- Thailand News
Wat Choeng Khao festival merges spiritual rites with lively concerts
The annual festival at Wat Choeng Khao in Saraburi Province promises to be a vibrant blend of religious reverence and festive entertainment as it welcomes visitors to participate in various activities from February 9 to 25. Headlined by celebrated artists including Pu Pongsit and Monkan Kankoon, the event is set to deliver a full-scale concert experience, alongside the opportunity to…
- Thailand News
Monk turns influencer: Thai monk faces backlash for enjoying Japan trip
Thai netizens criticised a well-known Thai monk from Rai Pru Temple in the southern province of Trang after he shared videos of himself and other monks travelling to Japan and enjoying soft ice cream and snow, which is considered inappropriate for monks. The Twitter account, Red Skull, shared a video of the deputy abbot of Rai Pru Temple, Phra Maha…
- Thailand News
Buddhist office turns to Thai Cyber Police over AI-generated Facebook content
The National Office of Buddhism (NOB) sought assistance from the Thai Cyber Police, following the discovery of inappropriate content related to Buddhism on Facebook. The content, generated by artificial intelligence (AI), depicts Buddhist monks engaging in non-religious activities, such as playing musical instruments and racing on motorbikes. These images, deemed damaging to the image of the monastic community, have raised…
- Thailand News
Drunk driving monk: Altercation causes 8,000 baht damage to Thai teacher’s car
A video of a drunk-driving Buddhist monk in an inebriated state, engaging in a traffic altercation, has gone viral online. The monk, driving a sedan, collided with another vehicle after crossing into the wrong lane. The incident escalated into a verbal dispute with the other party involved. The police were called, and an alcohol test revealed that the monk’s alcohol level…
- Thailand News
Chiang Mai abbot accused of physically and sexually abusing novices
Police rescued three Lao novices from a temple in Mae Rim district, northern Chiang Mai province after the abbot was accused of physically and sexually abusing them. Sex toys, G-strings and beer were found in the abbot’s accommodation. A 20 year old Lao man, Tawanchai, sought help from officers at Mae Rim Police Station after his 12 year old brother,…
- Phuket News
Governor’s serene journey: Phuket official’s monk ordainment sets tone for upcoming retirement
In preparation for his forthcoming retirement on September 30, Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew initiated a 15-day monk ordainment at Wat Pa Phutthaphot Hariphunchai in Lamphun province. The ceremony, conducted by the revered Chao Khun Luangpo Arayawangso, was held on Saturday night, August 26. The governor’s decision to take temporary monkhood reflects a deep-rooted Thai tradition and is a testament to…
- Thailand News
Esteemed Thai monk Luang Pu Saeng Yanwaro passes away at 99
Yesterday, the Facebook page of esteemed Thai monk Luang Pu Saeng Yanwaro announced the passing of the renowned spiritual figure at the age of 99. The post shared that his remains would be sent to the realm of nirvana, by Buddhist tradition. Previously, the Facebook page of Luang Pu Sing Thong Phaphakro‘s disciples had posted about the monk’s condition, stating…
- Thailand News
Young man ordains to thank heroic student who saved life with CPR after crash (video)
Three months after a near-death motorcycle accident, a young Thai man, Jame, has entered the monkhood to express his gratitude to a heroic 17 year old student, who performed CPR and saved his life. The student, Kanasak Nakte, is a volunteer rescuer in Surat Thani province in South Thailand. The incident took place on February 15, when a motorcycle collided…
- Thailand News
Phra Ratchawacharangsi, renowned Thai monk, dies at 89 after lifetime of devotion
Thai monk and respected author Phra Ratchawacharangsi, known for creating the sacred book “Man Pithi”, has passed away peacefully at the age of 89 after 69 years of religious service. The revered figure succumbed to his illness yesterday at Bangkok Hospital. The news of Phra Ratchawacharangsi’s passing was shared on the Facebook page of Buddhist News, with followers and fellow…
- Thailand News
Thai Buddhist monk’s daily life TikTok goes viral (video)
A video showing a day in the life of a Thai Buddhist monk went viral, garnering over 600,000 views within hours, as the TikTok vlog gained praise from netizens and increased interest in monastic life. Yesterday a Thai Buddhist monk using the TikTok handle @mek_tc posted a video blog (Vlog) offering a glimpse into the daily life of a monk.…
- Thailand News
Hundreds of porn DVDs discovered in ex-temple abbot’s quarters spark outrage
Villagers in Nakhon Ratchasima province were shocked when they discovered hundreds of porn DVDs hidden in a former abbot’s residence at a local temple. The 73 year old former abbot had been expelled from the temple by the villagers on February 19, due to inappropriate behaviour, financial mismanagement, and alleged misconduct with female devotees in a washroom. The villagers demanded…
- Thailand News
Buddhist monk’s car crash meltdown in Bangkok
Police rushed to suppress a potentially volatile incident after a Buddhist monk smashed a car and later hid in the main hall of the Lao Temple in the Bang Khun Thian district of Bangkok. A local told police that he believed the monk was out of control due to stress after learning too much online Buddhist doctrine. The monk was…
- Thailand News
Buddhist abbot’s secret affair with married woman results in disrobing
A Buddhist abbot found himself embroiled in controversy after allegedly having a secret year-long affair with a local woman. The family of the woman visited the temple to confront the abbot, leading to the revelation of evidence that subsequently pressured him to disrobe. Yesterday, April 30, a group of family members arrived at a temple located in Chumphon province, due to…
- Thailand News
English-born Buddhist monk Ajahn Jayasaro becomes Thai
HRH the King may have bestowed Thai nationality upon famous farang Buddhist monk Ajahn Jayasaro back in 2020 but it took almost three years to get his Thai ID card. On Sunday, Phra Ajahn Jayasaro took photos for his new Thai ID card in Nakhon Ratchasima province in northeast Thailand. On March 9, 2020, King Vajiralongkorn of Thailand bestowed Thai…
- Crime News
Foreigner claims suspected Thai monk in sex clip is actually him
A Vietnamese man claims that it is he featured in a clip of two men having sex and not the accused famous Thai monk ‘Kru Ba Gai.’ Four former students of Kra Ba Gai, a well-known abbot of a temple in Khon Kaen province in northeast Thailand, accused the monk of having sexual relations with a man which is against the…
- Sponsored
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- Thailand News
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- Thailand News
Thai monk celebrating Songkran passes out drunk, says he didn’t do anything wrong
A Buddhist monk was found passed out on the floor with his private parts on show at his temple after he got drunk to bring in the Thai New Year. The monk, who resides at a temple in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, says he didn’t do anything wrong. The 50 year old ex-policeman, who has been ordained as…
- Bangkok News
Esteemed Thai monk dies at the age of 85 after cancer battle
One of the most revered monks in the kingdom has died at the age of 85. The Bangkok Post reports that Somdet Phra Wannarat, who was abbot of Wat Bowonniwet Vihara, a major Buddhist temple in Bangkok, died yesterday after losing his battle with gall bladder cancer. He had served as abbot at the temple since 2015. According to the…
- Northern Thailand News
Monks and novices caught drinking alcohol and involved in an intimate relationship
Thai social media has featured a video showing 8 monks and novices were celebrating and drinking alcohol inside their temple accommodation. Another video and a screenshot of the conversation also indicated that the monk had an intimate relationship with the novice. The party was identified to be happening at the Nikom Kitiyaram temple in the northeast province of Ubon Ratchatani.…
- World News
Detained Cambodian monk with refugee status says he could jailed if deported from Thailand
Possible deportation and jail time is looming for a Cambodian refugee monk who was recently detained by Thai authorities, despite the recent condemnation from the United Nations. Last month, three Cambodians under UN refugee protection were deported from Thailand and arrested in their home country. On Wednesday, Thai authorities arrested a Cambodian monk and an environmental activist Bor Bet, who…
- Pattaya News
Monk arrested on charges of assault and drug possession in Chon Buri
Police in Chon Buri arrested a Buddhist monk and seized a small amount of crystal methamphetamine after the monk allegedly slapped a woman in the face during a heated argument. The 32 year old monk was taken back to the temple following the arrest and the abbot defrocked him. He was then taken to the Samet police station and charged…
- Bangkok News
Renowned Thai monk investigated for criticising government’s handling of pandemic
One of Thailand’s most prominent Buddhist monks has been accused of meddling in politics after he criticised the government’s handling of the Covid-19 crisis. Thai PBS World reports that the Sangha Supreme Council has found Phra Maha Sompong Talaputto guilty of expressing political views, which is considered inappropriate. The monk and popular preacher from Bangkok’s Soi Thong Temple is renowned…
- Pattaya News
Monk found hanged at Chon Buri temple in apparent suicide
A 68 year old monk has been found hanged at a temple in the eastern province of Chon Buri, in an apparent suicide. The Pattaya News reports that police and rescue workers were called to a temple in the sub-district of Baan Suan at around 7.30am yesterday. The body of the dead man was found hanging near the monk’s housing…
- Northern Thailand News
Family say car crash monk is battling mental health issues
Relatives of the monk behind a car crash that killed 1 person in the north-eastern province of Roi Et say he has been suffering with mental health problems. The monk crashed his car into a power pole at the weekend, killing his male passenger, 82 year old Noi Chuenchom, and causing serious injury to a 36 year old female passenger,…
- Northern Thailand News
Woman demands monk apologise for killing her pregnant sister in Buriram
A Buddhist monk who stabbed a pregnant woman to death has been ordered to apologise by the woman’s sister. The monk, named as 57 year old Phra Um Deeruenrom, was the abbot of Wat Ban Nong Bua, in the northeastern province of Buriram, until his arrest and defrocking. He has confessed to murdering the woman, who it’s understood he was…
