Showing 1 - 10 of 41
Monastic discipline in the digital age
Oped, Published on 23/07/2025
» At a time when Thai society is reeling from scandals in the monastic community -- from leaked audio clips of money transfers via apps to secret relationships with women -- we are not merely shocked that "monks have done wrong", but rather at how swiftly the "image of purity" we've long upheld has collapsed.
Curb open burning
Oped, Postbag, Published on 21/07/2025
» Re: "Taking stock of nation's climate finance", (Opinion, July 17).
Disgraced ex-monks in sex scandal face embezzlement probe
Published on 11/07/2025
» The National Office of Buddhism (NOB) is considering criminal complaints against former senior monks embroiled in a major sex scandal if an investigation finds they embezzled money from temples.
Ex-abbot admits to love affair
News, Wassayos Ngamkham, Published on 11/07/2025
» The former abbot of Wat Phra Phutthachai in Saraburi has admitted to a years-long romantic relationship with a woman known as "Sika Golf", saying he had even planned to leave the monkhood to marry her -- only to later discover she was also romantically involved with senior monks from other well-known temples.
Conscription needs to go
Oped, Editorial, Published on 12/04/2023
» The Thai military is facing increasing pressure to change its conscription system to a voluntary one.
Feet of clay
Life, Patcharawalai Sanyanusin, Published on 19/08/2019
» Late last month, many Buddhist followers in Thailand were delighted with the news that four phra farang, or Western monks, were granted samanasak or honorary ecclesiastical titles by HM the King.
Disrobing Ghosts
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 12/07/2019
» Software engineer by profession and photographer by passion, Akkara Naktamna is best known for his street photography. The co-founder of Street Photo Thailand and proud dad has taught himself how to take pictures and was selected a finalist in international competitions such as Miami Street Photography Festival 2013, Singapore Photo Festival 2016 and Photo Bangkok Festival 2015-2018. He also founded e-magazine "CTypeMag" in 2016 to promote interesting photo series from the unknown photographers around the globe. Akkara is having his solo exhibition titled "Demonic" to satire the unsavoury sides of monkhood in Thailand. It runs until Aug 31 at Kathmandu Photo Gallery. We talked to him about his photographic journey and his need to disrobe fake monks.
Do as Buddha did
News, Postbag, Published on 19/02/2019
» Re: "Cops crack down on criminal monks", (BP, Feb 18).
Pitfalls on the path toward enlightenment
Life, Patcharawalai Sanyanusin, Published on 18/06/2018
» Money is a tantalising thing, coveted by many. But worldly goods can pose a threat to those who are called to a higher order. The seven ex-monks from three famous Bangkok temples who were in the media limelight over the weeks are no exception.
Cops crack down on 95 'bad' monks
News, Wassayos Ngamkham, Published on 04/12/2017
» The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has launched a nationwide crackdown on 95 rogue monks, singling out those who indulge in sex, scams, transvestism and politics.