Showing 1 - 8 of 8
Abbot's dramatic fall from grace
Oped, Sanitsuda Ekachai, Published on 01/09/2025
» Faith built his empire. Fraud destroyed it. Luang Por Alongkot's fall from grace leaves Thai Buddhism reeling, demanding long-overdue reform.
Monastic discipline in the digital age
Oped, Watcharin Ariyaprakai, 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.
Myanmar kids need 'rights for all'
Oped, Puttanee Kangkun and Patrick Phongsathorn, Published on 19/06/2025
» When armed conflict breaks out, it is the innocent and helpless, especially children, who suffer the most. Therefore, as we approach World Refugee Day tomorrow, Thai authorities must make a substantial effort to grant refugee children, and the parents who support them, equal rights and dignity in law and practice.
Why don't Japanese give to charity?
Oped, Koichi Hamada, Published on 06/04/2024
» On Jan 1, as Japan celebrated the new year, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula, causing buildings to crumble, forcing mass evacuations, and leading to more than 200 deaths. But in the wake of the tragedy, something beautiful happened: an outpouring of support by philanthropic organisations and individuals, including support from beyond Japan's borders. More than 140,000 people donated US$5 million (183.7 million baht) through the Nippon Foundation alone.
City of smoke
Oped, Postbag, Published on 25/01/2024
» While the haze is the main cause of Thailand's air pollution, vehicle emissions, particularly in Bangkok, are multiplying the toxic, poisonous mess that people breathe daily.
A political stunt?
Oped, Postbag, Published on 26/08/2023
» Re: "10,000 Buddhist monks in Hat Yai for mass alms offerings", (BP, Aug 20).
Monks, be good
Oped, Postbag, Published on 23/10/2021
» Re: "Don't limit monks," (PostBag, Oct 16) and "More Meditating, Less Talking Please", (PostBag, Oct 18).
Autocracy, not giggling, is the problem
Oped, Sanitsuda Ekachai, Published on 15/09/2021
» When two influencer monks -- Phra Maha Praiwan Worawano and Phra Maha Sompong Talaputto -- were summoned to Government House last week for giggling too much in their dhamma talk shows, I expected intellectual duels between the conservatives and the liberals on the monastic codes of conduct and the clergy's need to catch up with times.