monk
- Phuket News
Monk’s naked beach dip in Phuket sparks misunderstanding
The Karon Municipality in Phuket has put to rest concerns raised by locals over an incident involving a 67 year old monk, Phra Manop Nonthakho, who was believed to have stripped naked at Karon Beach. A representative of the municipality, Adisak Phromsila, clarified that the monk originally from Nakhon Sawan province had not fully disrobed but kept on his half-length…
- Thailand News
Thai comedian’s monkhood plans pickled in debt controversy
Controversy has erupted around a Thai comedian as he prepares to enter monkhood amid a storm of online criticism and debt claims from a pickled crab seller. The comedian’s decision to ordain follows a public dispute over unpaid debts, which has led to widespread condemnation from netizens and creditors alike. The drama unfolded on the popular talk show Hone Krasae,…
- Thailand News
Drunken monk in Bangkok detained for lewd acts (video)
Bangkok’s bustling streets witnessed a bizarre incident recently when a 62 year old man was detained by police for inappropriate behaviour. The incident occurred at 7.30pm yesterday, April 3, when Bangkaew police officers from Samut Prakan province were alerted to a man, clad in monk’s robes, exhibiting drunken behaviour and leering at women’s breasts and buttocks in Kingkhaew Market. Upon…
- Thailand News
Monks’ brawl during ceremony sparks debate in Surat Thani (video)
A fight broke out between two monks in Surat Thani during a religious ceremony at a family’s home, shocking the household and sparking widespread online debate. The incident, captured on video and shared on Facebook by a user named ซัน บุญเลี้ยง, shows the monks exchanging blows in an unexpected turn of events during what was supposed to be a peaceful…
- Thailand News
Monk arrested for sexual assault of teen in Ayutthaya temple
A young monk has been arrested for the alleged sexual assault and abuse of a teenage girl inside a temple in Ayutthaya province on Monday. The teen’s 37 year old mother Ratri has been left distraught after her 14 year old daughter, referred to as A for privacy, became a victim of a heinous crime within the supposed sanctuary of…
- Thailand News
Two monks defrocked for misconduct in Thailand
Two senior monks, one aged 70 and another 60, were defrocked following complaints of inappropriate behaviour. Luang Pi Namfon, from the local Buddhist office, led the intervention after reports of the monks not residing at their temples and engaging in activities unbecoming of their monastic vows surfaced. Luang Pi Namfon today, February 16, accompanied by a deputy, coordinated with the…
- 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
Learn from a 97-Year-Old Isaan Monk for Good Fortune
A 97 year old southern Isaan monk blessed 301 registration plates for pick-up trucks. The ceremony took place at Wat Phattanathammaram, also known as Wat Ban Dan Chong Chom, in Surin Province. The event aimed to bring luck and prosperity to the winning bidders. The ceremony, held yesterday, saw Sahachai Kampoon from the Surin Transport Office, along with other officials from…
- Thailand News
10,000 flock to Chiang Rai for monk’s 60th anniversary
The grand celebration of the 60th birthday of the revered Buddhist monk, Phra Khuva Boonchum, which takes place today, January 6, also commemorates his four remarkable decades in monkhood. Worshippers gather for a religious celebration in Wat Phra That Doi Wiang Kaew, Chiang Rai province, marking the 60th birthday of the esteemed Buddhist monk, Phra Khuba Boonchum, also known as…
- Thailand News
Chon Buri: Four Cambodian men posing as fake monks apprehended in Si Racha
Four Cambodian individuals posing as fake monks were apprehended by immigration police on a mountain near a community in the Si Racha district, Chon Buri. They were disguised as fake Buddhist monks in yellow robes, residing in makeshift shelters. The operation was carried out this morning, December 1, following residents’ grievances about several Cambodian nationals masquerading as monks and asking…
- Thailand News
Northern Thailand: Passing of revered monk Luang Phor Phat of Wat Huay Duan at the age of 101
Revered monk Luang Phor Phat of Wat Huai Duan, famously known in Nakhon Sawan, has passed away at the age of 101, having served as a monk for 77 years. The news was announced today, November 24, by the Facebook page of the Office of the Royal Monk of Vajirajarn, stating that Luang Phor Phat, the former advisor to the…
- Thailand News
Monk’s Starbucks latte confession brews storm on TikTok
A video posted on TikTok by a monk has sparked controversy online. The monk, seen drinking a famous brand of coffee, Starbucks, thanked his followers for their donations that allowed him to afford the beverage. “Thanks to the donations from my followers, I can sit here at Starbucks today, feeling satisfied.” The monk clearly states in the video that the…
- Thailand News
Factory worker wins lottery thrice after monk appears in dreams
A 29 year old factory worker revealed a popular monk have miraculously appeared in his dreams, leading to his lottery win in three consecutive draws. Sunan Santalap’s story sparked a wave of faith among locals, causing a significant number of them to flock to the Nong Kho temple in Ban Khai district, Rayong province, to seek good luck and avert…
- Thailand News
Thai monk’s ‘soul-soothing’ fire dance ignites interest in ancient healing
A 71 year old monk from Wat Pa Theppitaks Daennabun, located in Nong Mod Daeng, Lahan Sai District, Buriram Province, uses the ancient method of fire stepping to treat various ailments and cleanse karma. This method was practised today, when a social media user posted a video showing the monk stepping on a heated iron plate or tractor blade, then…
- Thailand News
Monk’s mysterious death unveils temple ‘whodunit’ in central Thailand
The mysterious death of a 57 year old monk in a temple in Ang Thong province sparked a police investigation. The body was found in a monk’s hut, lying on the floor surrounded by a foul smell, with blood and yellow liquid on the ground. A lottery ticket for the October 1 draw was discovered in the hut, which drew…
- China News
Monks with luxury backpacks ignite debate over wealth and religion
Two posh monks were spotted at an airport carrying luxury brand backpacks, causing a stir on social media. The high price of these accessories, which are out of reach for most ordinary people, but seemingly affordable for the monks, has left many in shock. The recent images shared on Weibo, a Chinese social media platform, sparked intense online debate. The two…
- Central Thailand News
Monk goes viral for auto rubbish-collecting cart to clean temple
A monk came up with an ingenious idea borne out of necessity, giving birth to a functional, automatic rubbish collection cart. The monk, who lives in the Ayutthaya province, created a cart that can gather and collect discarded items and fallen leaves from a 14-acre temple area without the need for manual labour. Built from scraps collected around the temple…
- Central Thailand News
Ex-monk and woman shamed by TikTok video at Ayutthaya temple
On the quiet afternoon of August 9, Wat Ratsadhattaram (Old Canal) in Bang Sai district, Ayutthaya province unexpectedly became the centre of controversy. A video posted on TikTok featuring a woman cosily embracing a man dressed in what seemed like a Buddhist monk’s attire and sipping beer near him went viral. The man’s monk robes and the religious paraphernalia surrounding…
- Thailand News
Debate over treatment of revered monk’s remains in Thai temple
Should a revered monk’s remains be accessible to their disciples, even allowing them to physically touch the relics? Following an unsettling incident at a prominent temple in Nakhon Pathom province, online public debate has sparked regarding the appropriateness. The controversial event happened while followers were changing the cloth covering a mummified monk, who had left his physical form 18 years…
- Crime News
Former monk arrested for 10 million baht fraud through online religious artefact shop
Police arrested a former monk for defrauding people of over 10 million baht through his online religious artefact shop. His illicit proceeds were used for everyday needs, online gambling, and to rent accommodation for hiding. The arrest occurred near a bustling night market in the Phang Khon district of the northeast Sakon Nakhon province. Warakorn Kongu-tit, a 46 year old…
- Thailand News
Temple incident: Monk prompts killing of dog in Chiang Mai, causes public outrage
A shocking incident at a temple in Thailand’s northern Chiang Mai province saw the temple’s leading monk command a follower to shoot and kill a dog, according to an anonymous source on Monday. This graphic scenario, caught on video, stirred public outrage for the cruel treatment of the animal and raised questions about monk conduct and regulations surrounding firearm possession. The…
- Crime News
Monk-led scam network dupes victims of 2 million baht posing as tax officials
A man part of a scam network passing off as a tax official was today apprehended by cyber police forces at a renowned temple in Kamphaeng Phet province. The 46 year old suspect allegedly defrauded victims of over 2 million baht (US$57,414) through a deceptive application. Major General Worawut Watnakornbancha, head of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) apprehended the…
- Thailand News
Tragic Drowning of monk in Udon Thani sparks local mystery and fear
Details emerged of a tragic drowning event in the district of Mueang Udon Thani yesterday where a local monk was found lifeless in a large agricultural pond. Sirichai Pothichak, an inspector from Huay Luang Police Station, reported that they had retrieved the 44 year old Monk, Boonmi Papaso’s body, which was decomposed, floating around 3 metres from the pond’s edge.…
- Thailand News
Fake monk arrested after he swindled 180,000 baht from elder abbot to fund wife’s business
Police apprehended a 53 year old resident of the Buriram province, who had been disguising himself as a monk to deceive local temple heads. Phanuphong, also known as ‘Oat,’ used his clever ruse to swindle more than 180,000 baht (US$5,112) from Monhkol Jatsanlo, an 82 year old abbot from Buriram, last June. Now in the custody of the police, Phanuphon…
- Crime News
Elderly monk at Buriram temple tricked by imposter loses 180,000 baht
An 82 year old resident monk at a temple in Thailand’s Buriram was reportedly duped by a conman impersonating a monk, leading to the theft of 180,000 baht (US$5,051) from the temple. Villagers from Butapuang, Mueang district yesterday called for the police to track down the culprit. At around 1pm Yesterday, the imposter paid a visit to the temple where the…
- Thailand News
Surin school criticised for inviting controversial figure to teach morality at student camp
A school in Surin province has faced criticism for inviting a controversial figure with a history of mental health issues and social threats to teach morality to over 900 students participating in a camp. Netizens and students alike have expressed concern over the school’s decision, questioning the background checks conducted on the individual. The incident came to light after the…
- Thailand News
Tree falls on revered Thai monk’s house, minor damage sustained
In a remarkable incident, a large tree fell on the house of the revered Thai monk Luang Pu Mun, but the house remained mostly intact. The monk’s followers shared photos of the astonishing event that took place at the Wat Pa Phurithattatirawat Forest Monastery in Sakhon Nakhon, Thailand. This extraordinary occurrence happened when the area experienced heavy rainfall causing several…
- 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 monk seeks justice for reputation damage after accusations cleared
A revered Thai monk and his supporters are hitting back after accusations of inappropriate behaviour and misconduct have been cleared. The monk, 73 year old Luang Por Wang of Wat Ban Kluey in Nakhon Ratchasima province, along with his nephew, 38 year old Thanawat Saeveekul, filed a complaint with the police after an investigation showed no evidence of misconduct. The…
- Northern Thailand News
Drunk as a monk: Intoxicated Thai monks defrocked after selling temple items
In northeast Thailand’s Nong Bua Lamphu province, two intoxicated monks were defrocked after testing positive for high levels of alcohol consumption. The monks were also accused of selling temple-owned items without permission. Concerned locals alerted the Mueang Nong Bua Lamphu Police about the monks’ behaviour on a recent Tuesday. The police, accompanied by around 20 frustrated residents, visited the temple…
- Thailand News
Naked Buddhist monk stuns Udon Thani residents as he sheds robes in public
An alarming incident took place in the Udon Thani province of Thailand when a 42 year old Buddhist monk, identified as Damrongsak, suddenly disrobed and walked naked in the streets, unsettling nearby residents. The monk, who originally hails from Ban Pho Chon Temple in Phetchabun province, was discovered having discarded his garments near a local community school, yesterday, May 21,…
- Crime News
Disturbed Buddhist monk in Thailand adopts, kills and burns at least 18 cats
A disturbed Buddhist monk in Thailand confessed to adopting cats via Facebook and beating them to death. Yesterday, the burned carcasses of 18 cats were dug up from behind his living quarters at a temple in Chachoengsao province. Watchdog Thailand Foundation (WDT), an animal rights charity, reported the horrific discovery of animal cruelty at the hands of an ordained Buddhist monk…
- World News
Hiroshima’s burnt origami cranes transform into peace-promoting pottery
In a hillside temple on Miyajima island, facing Hiroshima, a monk in saffron robes blows a conch and begins chanting prayers as thousands of origami cranes donated to Hiroshima are burned. For the past decade, the Daisho-in Buddhist temple has held ritual burnings of the millions of origami cranes sent to Hiroshima each year, honouring the sentiments folded into each…
- Thailand News
‘Monk’ at polling station didn’t violate Thailand’s election rules
The Governor of Lampang ordered the Chae Hom District Chief to investigate a potential election violation yesterday after photos circulated of a monk standing at a polling station in Lampang province in northern Thailand. In Thailand, ordained Buddhist monks are not eligible to meddle in politics or vote in any election. Photos of the monk sparked panic that this rule had…
- Thailand News
Monk shoots rival monk due to dispute over seniority
A monk yesterday shot a fellow monk over a dispute regarding seniority shocking the community around Rat Samak Khee Temple in Nong Bua Lamphu province in the northeastern part of Thailand. The monk survived the shooting despite being shot five times. Officers from Na Klang Police Station rushed to the scene and discovered the injured monk, 57 year old Weerapong…
- Thailand News
Thai monk dies in sweltering heat after drunk policeman causes power outage
A drunk policeman crashed into an electric pole causing a power outage in Surin province in northeast Thailand on Thursday amid soaring temperatures. This caused problems for a Buddhist monk with a lung complaint because he was hot and couldn’t turn on his fan because of the power outage. His naked body was discovered in his room the next morning, reports…
- Thailand News
Former monk denies embezzling 180 million baht from Nakhon Ratchasima temple
A former monk and two other individuals have been arrested on suspicion of embezzling 180 million baht from Wat Pha Dhammakiri in Nakhon Ratchasima. The accused ex-monk, Khom Khongkeaw, previously known as Phra Ajarn Khom Abhivaro, denies the allegations. During police questioning, Khom and his sister claimed that the money was used for “other purposes,” and that they had no…
