Authorities in Chiang Rai have arrested and disrobed two Buddhist monks within a week over inappropriate conduct and damaging the reputation of the Buddhist Sangha.
Yesterday, Immigration police in Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai, detained a Malaysian monk on an arrest warrant over suspected theft from Wat Chet Yot in Chiang Mai Province. Mr. Paramasiwan, or Phra Siripunyo, had allegedly stayed at the temple and suddenly disappeared.
Immigration police officers spotted Phra Siripunyo at the entrance to Wat Phra Chao Lan Thong in Chiang Saen District of Chiang Rai Province. They confronted him, and he said he was on the arrest warrant.
The officers, therefore, took him into custody before taking him to be disrobed and handing him over to police investigators from Chiang Mai Province to proceed with legal action.
On Monday, Mae Chan Police detained Phra Ari Khuntivoro after he was found intoxicated in front of a tea plantation in Mae Chan District of Chiang Rai Province. His arrest comes after Ms. Nichawee, aged 20, of Tung Ko Subdistrict, Wiang Chiang Rung District, notified police that she had given a ride to a monk and he reeked of alcohol.
She told police that she was driving along the road in Sri Kham Subdistrict when the monk waved her down and asked her for a ride to the tea plantation. While driving, he asked her for 750 baht to replace his broken umbrella. She said she gave him 500 baht and drove away.
Concerned he might be an imposter posing as a monk, she stopped at the Mae Chan Police station to make a report.
Police officers found Phra Ari Khuntivoro on the roadside at the tree at the tea plantation. They said the monk spoke incoherently and reeked of alcohol. From questioning, he told them he had drunk 3 bottles of Sato rice wine.
The police officers took him to Wat Pa Sang Luang, Pa Sang Subdistrict, Mae Chan District, where he was subsequently disrobed and taken to the Mae Chan Police Station for legal action.
Monks in Thailand are held to high moral standards, and monks follow their vows for public trust. Any scandal or inappropriate actions by monks disgrace the individuals involved and harm the reputation of the Sangha.
Common issues include drinking alcohol, engaging in sexual misconduct, or seeking luxury items, all of which violate Buddhist principles. Authorities often defrock monks caught misbehaving to enforce discipline and protect the image of Buddhism in the country.
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Geoff Thomas is an award winning journalist known for his sharp insights and no-nonsense reporting style. Over the years he has worked for Reuters and the Canadian Press covering everything from political scandals to human interest stories. He brings a clear and direct approach to his work.
