Showing 1 - 10 of 221
Come and see (no need to pray)
Life, Kong Rithdee, Published on 06/04/2021
» In an ordinary democracy, a film like Ehipassiko (in English, Come And See) shouldn't have had the least bit of worry about the possibility of being banned. The subject itself initially provoked the censors' impulse: this is a finely-tuned, patiently observed documentary about the controversial Wat Dhammakaya and the dramatic 2017 siege of the temple.
The art of poking fun
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 01/06/2018
» Tanawat "Pop" Prakammanu, 26, works as a graphic designer at an advertising agency in Bangkok and runs his Facebook page Prakammanu (fb.com/Prakammanu), where he showcases his drawings in his spare time. He went viral after publishing an action-filled Avengers-inspired comic with a cast full of figures in Thai politics from PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to student activist Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal. Pop poked fun at them with sharp humour (even though he insists he's a casual observer) and witty dialogues. His latest effort has been shared more than 100,000 times. His page isn't the first to poke fun at Thai politics but we think it's definitely worth checking out especially if you want to see Uncle Tu having a fist-fight with Thaksin Shinawatra. We talked to Pop about his serious art of poking fun but at, his request, no serious political comment.
Arrests not enough to reform Thai Sangha
News, Khemthong Tonsakulrungruang, Published on 31/05/2018
» The early morning of May 24 was the morning of the long knives for the Thai Sangha. Commandos stormed Wat Or Noi in Nakhon Pathom to arrest the abbot, then Phra Buddha Isara, a staunch supporter of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). In an unrelated case, five of seven other senior monks accused of embezzlement and money laundering were arrested from three famous temples in Bangkok. The other two remain on the run.
No police apology for monk's violent arrest
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 28/05/2018
» Nobody doubts why the Crime Suppression Division police had to make the arrest of Phra Buddha Isara, the abbot of Wat Or Noi in Nakhon Pathom, before dawn of May 24 at his living quarters on the temple grounds.
Scandal-hit Dhammakaya temple helps stage Myanmar event
Reuters, Published on 21/01/2018
» MANDALAY: Thousands of Buddhist monks gathered in Myanmar's second largest city on Sunday for an event partly organised by the scandal-hit Dhammakaya temple whose abbot is wanted for questioning on money-laundering allegations.
Leave Yingluck be
Oped, Postbag, Published on 13/01/2018
» Re: "Officials 'must capture Yingluck'," (BP, Jan 12). We should all extend our sympathy to the government for having to resist pressure from various sources to pursue extradition proceedings against Yingluck Shinawatra.
Monk kicks up stink over Buddhism office chief
News, Published on 03/09/2017
» Activist monk Phra Buddha Isara has claimed that some senior members of the Sangha Supreme Council (SSC) with close ties to Wat Phra Dhammakaya are lobbying for a Department of Special Investigation official to become the new chief of the National Office of Buddhism (NOB).
Embezzlement-temple scandal ensnares property titan
News, King-oua Laohong, Published on 19/05/2017
» The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) said Thursday it has sufficient evidence to press charges against property tycoon Anant Asavabhokin for money laundering in connection with the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative (KCUC) embezzlement case.
DSI mulls asking govt to lift temple 'control' order
News, King-oua Laohong, Published on 30/03/2017
» The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is considering asking the government to revoke an order declaring Wat Phra Dhammakaya "a specially controlled area".
New abbot sought to replace Dhammajayo
Reuters, Published on 23/03/2017
» The government is trying to get a new abbot appointed to head Wat Dhammakaya, whose former leader is wanted for money laundering, an official said on Thursday.