monk

  • Thailand NewsNorthern Thailand: Passing of revered monk Luang Phor Phat of Wat Huay Duan at the age of 101

    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 NewsMonk’s Starbucks latte confession brews storm on TikTok

    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 NewsFactory worker wins lottery thrice after monk appears in dreams

    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 NewsThai monk’s ‘soul-soothing’ fire dance ignites interest in ancient healing

    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…

  • China NewsMonks with luxury backpacks ignite debate over wealth and religion

    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 NewsMonk goes viral for auto rubbish-collecting cart to clean temple

    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 NewsEx-monk and woman shamed by TikTok video at Ayutthaya temple

    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 NewsDebate over treatment of revered monk’s remains in Thai temple

    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…

  • Thailand NewsTemple incident: Monk prompts killing of dog in Chiang Mai, causes public outrage

    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 NewsMonk-led scam network dupes victims of 2 million baht posing as tax officials

    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 NewsTragic Drowning of monk in Udon Thani sparks local mystery and fear

    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 NewsFake monk arrested after he swindled 180,000 baht from elder abbot to fund wife’s business

    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…

  • Thailand NewsSurin school criticised for inviting controversial figure to teach morality at student camp

    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 NewsTree falls on revered Thai monk’s house, minor damage sustained

    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 NewsPhra Ratchawacharangsi, renowned Thai monk, dies at 89 after lifetime of devotion

    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 NewsThai monk seeks justice for reputation damage after accusations cleared

    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…

  • Thailand NewsNaked Buddhist monk stuns Udon Thani residents as he sheds robes in public

    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 NewsDisturbed Buddhist monk in Thailand adopts, kills and burns at least 18 cats

    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 NewsHiroshima’s burnt origami cranes transform into peace-promoting pottery

    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

    ‘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 NewsThai monk dies in sweltering heat after drunk policeman causes power outage

    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 NewsFormer monk denies embezzling 180 million baht from Nakhon Ratchasima temple

    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…

  • Thailand NewsUnique ordination parade sees men tossed in air in Chaiyaphum village

    Unique ordination parade sees men tossed in air in Chaiyaphum village

    Eight men embarking on a spiritual journey into the Buddhist monkhood experienced a thrilling ordination parade in Ban Non-Salao, a village in the Phu Khieo district. In the morning, the provincial governor of Chaiyaphum, Sopon Suwanrat, attended religious ceremonies at a village shrine honouring the 8 men being ordained, collectively referred to as ‘nagas.’ The day’s main attraction was a…

  • Northern Thailand NewsMad Buddhist monks brawl at funeral in northeast Thailand

    Mad Buddhist monks brawl at funeral in northeast Thailand

    Tensions were high at a funeral in Surin province in northeast Thailand on Friday when a brawl broke out between two saffron-robed Buddhist monks, allegedly over a plastic chair. Yesterday, the acting abbot of Wat Pho Sri Sawang Arom, Phra Toi Kan, told reporters what happened at the temple on Friday. In Thailand, Buddhist funeral rites include a distinctive ritual…

  • Thai LifeThai monk throws money from the sky to celebrate his birthday (video)

    Thai monk throws money from the sky to celebrate his birthday (video)

    A Thai Buddhist monk ascended into the air on a crane and threw 150,000 baht cash to attendees of his birthday party at a temple in Surin province in northeast Thailand on Tuesday. To celebrate his 46th birthday and 24th year in the monkhood, Phra Khru Phot Suwannarat – aka Luang Phor Kaen – hired a crane to hoist him…

  • Crime NewsThai monk charged with attempted murder after leaving policeman in need of urgent brain surgery

    Thai monk charged with attempted murder after leaving policeman in need of urgent brain surgery

    A Thai policeman underwent urgent brain surgery after being attacked by a Buddhist monk at a temple in Phitsanulok province in northern Thailand on Wednesday. Police have charged the monk with attempted murder. At 2.30pm, officers of Matum Patrol Police Force were informed that a monk was displaying manic behaviour, harassing people and destroying property at Wat Tha Chang temple…

  • Things To DoSriracha monk mobbed after anointing hands of lottery winner factory worker

    Sriracha monk mobbed after anointing hands of lottery winner factory worker

    A monk in Sriracha, Thailand was mobbed after anointing the hands of a lottery winner factory worker. The monk, Phra Maha Thanongsak, performed the anointment of the hands and wallet of a factory worker who then won the lottery 10 days later. The winning amount was six million baht, prompting the monk to become the most popular member of the…

  • Crime News50 year old case solved involving American murderer who became a monk in Thailand

    50 year old case solved involving American murderer who became a monk in Thailand

    American authorities have finally solved a case from 50 years ago involving an American man who murdered a teacher, before moving to Thailand to become a monk. Authorities in the eastern state of Vermont solved the case thanks to a discarded cigarette butt. The case involved the killing of Rita Curran, a 24 year old teacher who was strangled to death…

  • EducationSenior Buddhist monk’s visit to Islamic education centre in Thailand’s Deep South sparks uproar

    Senior Buddhist monk’s visit to Islamic education centre in Thailand’s Deep South sparks uproar

    A senior Buddhist monk in Thailand sparked uproar over his visit to an Islamic education centre in the south. The visit to the centre in Narathiwat province in Thailand’s south came with heavy criticism on the second day of the House debate against the Prayut government yesterday morning. According to Thai PBS World, army officials defended the visit by saying it…

  • Thailand NewsEnglish-born Buddhist monk Ajahn Jayasaro becomes Thai

    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…