Guide arrested for stepping on Temple of Dawn stupa

By The Nation

 

 

Tourist police have arrested a Thai tour guide who posted photos of herself with a Chinese tourist stepping on the much-respected stupa at the Temple of Dawn in Bangkok.

 

Pol Maj-General Surachet Hakpal, deputy commissioner of the Tourist Police Bureau, brought the guide, Noranon Norakhamin, 44, to a press conference to announce her arrest.

 

 

She came under much criticism online after a picture of her taking a photo with a Chinese tourist with her foot stepping on the side of the stupa was widely shared on Facebook.

 

At the press conference, the guide paid respects to the stupa to show her remorse. She said she was sorry for what she did and would plead guilty when her case was filed in court.

 

Surachet said the woman was charged with showing disrespect to a national historical site, which carries a maximum jail term of one month and a maximum fine of Bt10,000.

She was sent to be arraigned in the Taling Chan provincial court after the press conference.

 

Surachet said the guide had acted improperly and could set a bad example.

 

“The arrest was not aimed at warning tourists with bad behaviour, but we would like to create a standard for tourists and guides to respect historical sites,” Surachet said.

 

He said police had taken action against tourists and guides in several similar cases but these did not make the news.

 

“From now on, police will enforce the law strictly if they find guides and tourists act improperly or are dressed improperly in important places,” Surachet warned.

 

He said tourist police had earlier held meetings with government agencies in charge of tourism and the tourist guide association about measures to create a good standard of practice for tourists at important places and national historical sites, such as the historical sites in Ayutthaya and Sukhothai.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30334104

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-12-16

2 words come to mind, mountain & molehill..........................

This is indeed a perfect illustration of the policing priorities within the Kingdom.

Ridiculous. I wish people had this sort of reverence for human life. Guess people think there’s no luck in it for them. 

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

“From now on, police will enforce the law strictly

Yeah, right. 

She knows now it was stupa 

So if I understand correctly the guide is the one in the front of the photo and the Chinese tourist is behind her.

 

If that's correct, how is she supposed to see where the tourist's foot is?

That appears to be a man grovelling in the dirt, not a woman as the article suggests. Did the stupa accept her apologies ? I guess we will never know.

I find it disrespectful and incredibly abhorrent to see a human being on the ground humiliating themselves , whilst their countryman piously stand over the situation. 

I am reminded of the  great king chulalongkorn and his wise words. 

When that's what some lunatic extremists have made from Buddhism in Thailand, with officials and police visibly playing the same tune, the populace eagerly following, it's plain disgusting, may I ask myself what the Lord Buddha himself would have been thinking of them all, ...and been strongly telling them!?

 

Maybe the problem was not a foot on the temple, but posting a photo on Facebook.

 

At our local temple I have seen Thais fighting, drinking alcohol, taking drugs, gambling and beating dogs. Who knows what the monks get up to?

Religion the worlds first form of corruption, you just have to look at what goes on the other side of these walls to confirm it.

I live in constant fear of stepping over some invisible foot frontier, illegal worshiping or being told that I somehow didn't sufficiently respect a rock that had been chiseled into a particular shape.

One would have thought a police general would have more on his mind than a publicity stunt and public humiliation. pathetic.

I thought this was allowed if you were covering your bottom?

It is very, very important, in Thailand that the institutions are respected, irrespective of what individuals might do. Shows their fragilility.

I pity the fool who steps on my Carlsberg welcome mat! 

2 hours ago, nausea said:

It is very, very important, in Thailand that the institutions are respected, irrespective of what individuals might do. Shows their fragilility.

I understand that ?

14 hours ago, bangrak said:

When that's what some lunatic extremists have made from Buddhism in Thailand, with officials and police visibly playing the same tune, the populace eagerly following, it's plain disgusting, may I ask myself what the Lord Buddha himself would have been thinking of them all, ...and been strongly telling them!?

 

The man, Siddhartha Gautama, would have chided them for worshiping a pile of crafted stone and images of himself.  Unfortunately, most professed Buddhists especially here in Thailand completely miss the point of Siddhartha Gautama's teachings.  It has nothing to do with bowing to rocks, buildings, and idols. 

Buddhism is a practice, not a mindless dogma of rites, rituals, and superstitions. 

Edited December 17, 20178 yr by connda

12 hours ago, attrayant said:

I live in constant fear of stepping over some invisible foot frontier, illegal worshiping or being told that I somehow didn't sufficiently respect a rock that had been chiseled into a particular shape.

And then there are trees wrapped in cloth that you must worry about.  Or a pile of rocks dedicated to a cow.  Or a phallic stone decorated with flowers and ribbons. 
Interesting that the police chose to get involved in prosecuting 'disrespect' toward revered objects of the Buddhist and Animistic religions, or even regional folk religions.  I wonder what happens next when they are called on to enforce Sharia Law?  Something to think about.

2 hours ago, connda said:

The man, Siddhartha Gautama, would have chided them for worshiping a pile of crafted stone and images of himself.  Unfortunately, most professed Buddhists especially here in Thailand completely miss the point of Siddhartha Gautama's teachings.  It has nothing to do with bowing to rocks, buildings, and idols. 

Buddhism is a practice, not a mindless dogma of rites, rituals, and superstitions. 

      I guess most people here are not Buddhist..... and that's okay... but..  as a Buddhist, I do not worship the chedis/stupas and also I do not worship the statue of Lord Buddha.  But I do show respect/reverence to Buddha's memory and to the Dhamma when at temple and at my home shrine or any other sacred place/image.

  As one person said:    

"When we bow before Buddha images, we are recalling the qualities of the enlightened beings. It is their impartial love and compassion, generosity, morality, patience, joyous effort, concentration and wisdom that we are showing respect to. The statue or painting serves to remind us of the qualities of the Buddha, and it is the qualities, not the clay, that we are bowing to. We need not have a statue in front of us in order to bow to or respect the Buddhas and their qualities.

For example, if we go to a place far away from our family, we think about them and feel much love. But we also like to have a photo of them with us to remember them better. When we look at the photo and feel love for our family, we are not loving the paper and ink of the photo! The photo merely strengthens our memory. It is similar with a statue or painting of the Buddha.

By showing respect to the Buddhas and their qualities, we are inspired to develop these extraordinary qualities on our own mind streams. We become like the people we respect. When we take the love-kindness and wisdom of the Buddhas as our example, we strive to become like them’."

    -  Pema Chodron

    Chedis/stupas contain relics of Budda or very holy and greatly respected monks..... and for that reason we show respect/reverence...and do not treat these sacred places as places of entertainment/party time.  

 

     Just as you would not want someone standing on the headstones of your mother's and father's grave, or treating their grave with disrespect. we also are not impressed when someone shows disrespect to Chedis or the image of Lord Buddha...

 

   How many Christians would simply ignore someone showing disrespect to a crucifix or cross or one of Christianities sacred places ? 

  

     We are not to worship the statue of Lord Buddha, and we do not worship Lord Buddha.... we honour and respect him as our enlightened great teacher....

       

   Those who actually worship the statue or Buddha as a god.... are making a mistake. 

 

   Just as Christians are not to worship that cross on the altar of the Christian church.  But they go a step further and actually worship Jesus Christ.  

 

     It is true Lord Buddha never asked us to make images of him.  It is also true that there are no known records that he forbid them. Strictly speaking, they are not necessary, but also, there is nothing wrong with having them..... Being human, and beings of emotion, we find them to be very helpful as a focus.  As human beings, we find that images can help us to focus. Although not necessary, Buddhists use the statues as a symbol and as an object of concentration to help gain peace of mind.

     Human beings are beings of emotion, habit, and ritual.  

6 minutes ago, Catoni said:

      I guess most people here are not Buddhist..... and that's okay... but..  as a Buddhist, I do not worship the chedis/stupas and also I do not worship the statue of Lord Buddha.  But I do show respect/reverence to Buddha's memory and to the Dhamma when at temple and at my home shrine or any other sacred place/image.

  As one person said:    

"When we bow before Buddha images, we are recalling the qualities of the enlightened beings. It is their impartial love and compassion, generosity, morality, patience, joyous effort, concentration and wisdom that we are showing respect to. The statue or painting serves to remind us of the qualities of the Buddha, and it is the qualities, not the clay, that we are bowing to. We need not have a statue in front of us in order to bow to or respect the Buddhas and their qualities.

For example, if we go to a place far away from our family, we think about them and feel much love. But we also like to have a photo of them with us to remember them better. When we look at the photo and feel love for our family, we are not loving the paper and ink of the photo! The photo merely strengthens our memory. It is similar with a statue or painting of the Buddha.

By showing respect to the Buddhas and their qualities, we are inspired to develop these extraordinary qualities on our own mind streams. We become like the people we respect. When we take the love-kindness and wisdom of the Buddhas as our example, we strive to become like them’."

    -  Pema Chodron

    Chedis/stupas contain relics of Budda or very holy and greatly respected monks..... and for that reason we show respect/reverence...and do not treat these sacred places as places of entertainment/party time.  

 

     Just as you would not want someone standing on the headstones of your mother's and father's grave, or treating their grave with disrespect. we also are not impressed when someone shows disrespect to Chedis or the image of Lord Buddha...

 

   How many Christians would simply ignore someone showing disrespect to a crucifix or cross or one of Christianities sacred places ? 

  

     We are not to worship the statue of Lord Buddha, and we do not worship Lord Buddha.... we honour and respect him as our enlightened great teacher....

       

   Those who actually worship the statue or Buddha as a god.... are making a mistake. 

 

   Just as Christians are not to worship that cross on the altar of the Christian church.  But they go a step further and actually worship Jesus Christ.  

 

     It is true Lord Buddha never asked us to make images of him.  It is also true that there are no known records that he forbid them. Strictly speaking, they are not necessary, but also, there is nothing wrong with having them..... Being human, and beings of emotion, we find them to be very helpful as a focus.  As human beings, we find that images can help us to focus. Although not necessary, Buddhists use the statues as a symbol and as an object of concentration to help gain peace of mind.

     Human beings are beings of emotion, habit, and ritual.  

Not quite sure what your point was. 

There are many people that have made funny cartoons of Christ and the cross. People use the cross as an adornment of jewellery. There was a Thai artist that showed shocking pictures disrespectful of Christianity. We don't put them in prison for not having the same passion as another religious person that would not do that. 

I'm not Buddhist, but I am sure Buddha or the sanctity of buddhism would have love, compassion, patience and kindness for someone that did not have the an understanding. He certainly would not want another human being imprisoned and humiliated in public by ignorant people claiming it is in his  name. 

When I was a child I jumped all over the tombstones. I didn't know who they were.

A kind person gently told me it might be hurtful to the person whose family had passed away. I didn't do that again. 

I guess you would say I was treated kindly and patiently to instil understanding. 

As would probably be one of Buddha teaching. 

 

She knows better than that!

19 hours ago, dfdgfdfdgs said:

So if I understand correctly the guide is the one in the front of the photo and the Chinese tourist is behind her.

 

If that's correct, how is she supposed to see where the tourist's foot is?

And what you think? She was still blind when she did post the photo?

If Ghandi went to Canterbury cathedral they let him in wearing a nappy.

16 minutes ago, evadgib said:

If Ghandi went to Canterbury cathedral they let him in wearing a nappy.

Yes, they would. 

Just like after the truck terrorist attack in Europe a Muslim went to pay her "respects" at the cathedral in her hijab. She was welcomed. 

You don't put people in prison because they don't have the same values as yourself. 

2 hours ago, Catoni said:

      I guess most people here are not Buddhist..... and that's okay... but..  as a Buddhist, I do not worship the chedis/stupas and also I do not worship the statue of Lord Buddha.  But I do show respect/reverence to Buddha's memory and to the Dhamma when at temple and at my home shrine or any other sacred place/image.

  As one person said:    

"When we bow before Buddha images, we are recalling the qualities of the enlightened beings. It is their impartial love and compassion, generosity, morality, patience, joyous effort, concentration and wisdom that we are showing respect to. The statue or painting serves to remind us of the qualities of the Buddha, and it is the qualities, not the clay, that we are bowing to. We need not have a statue in front of us in order to bow to or respect the Buddhas and their qualities.

For example, if we go to a place far away from our family, we think about them and feel much love. But we also like to have a photo of them with us to remember them better. When we look at the photo and feel love for our family, we are not loving the paper and ink of the photo! The photo merely strengthens our memory. It is similar with a statue or painting of the Buddha.

By showing respect to the Buddhas and their qualities, we are inspired to develop these extraordinary qualities on our own mind streams. We become like the people we respect. When we take the love-kindness and wisdom of the Buddhas as our example, we strive to become like them’."

    -  Pema Chodron

    Chedis/stupas contain relics of Budda or very holy and greatly respected monks..... and for that reason we show respect/reverence...and do not treat these sacred places as places of entertainment/party time.  

 

     Just as you would not want someone standing on the headstones of your mother's and father's grave, or treating their grave with disrespect. we also are not impressed when someone shows disrespect to Chedis or the image of Lord Buddha...

 

   How many Christians would simply ignore someone showing disrespect to a crucifix or cross or one of Christianities sacred places ? 

  

     We are not to worship the statue of Lord Buddha, and we do not worship Lord Buddha.... we honour and respect him as our enlightened great teacher....

       

   Those who actually worship the statue or Buddha as a god.... are making a mistake. 

 

   Just as Christians are not to worship that cross on the altar of the Christian church.  But they go a step further and actually worship Jesus Christ.  

 

     It is true Lord Buddha never asked us to make images of him.  It is also true that there are no known records that he forbid them. Strictly speaking, they are not necessary, but also, there is nothing wrong with having them..... Being human, and beings of emotion, we find them to be very helpful as a focus.  As human beings, we find that images can help us to focus. Although not necessary, Buddhists use the statues as a symbol and as an object of concentration to help gain peace of mind.

     Human beings are beings of emotion, habit, and ritual.  

And also being a Buddhist, albeit a pragmatic one, I have to ask - "Who made all those rules?"  It was not Siddhartha Gautama.  Gautama Buddha himself would see past those blind rituals and mores. 
It's amazing how many people are offended when their dogmatic views are challenged, to the point of anger and aggression.  Ya'll are missing the bigger picture.  But there you have it - the blind leading the blind. 
And BTW, after I die, they can spread my ashes on the floor and dance on them for all it will matter to me.  Is that disrespect?  The concepts of respect and disrespect are learned.  In reality, they have no substance. 
And as in the case of this guide, respect was enforced at the end of a gun - literally. He was taken into custody and then force to bow. That's not the hallmark of either a free or enlightened society. 
Those of us who understand go inward, for therein lies the means of escape from Maya.

 

Edited December 17, 20178 yr by connda

1 hour ago, Cohen said:

And what you think? She was still blind when she did post the photo?

 

Nowhere does it say that the guide posted any photo anywhere.

As far as I'm concerned a logical argument regarding damage to the Stupa or any other monument, (religious or not), would be more convincing. The reliable old saw about what if 10,000 people placed their feet in that particular spot comes to mind. This is nonsense.

in the meantime vigilantes roam the streets carrying weapons in their vehicles and with quick tempers and waste no time at taking the law into their own hands should they suspect somebody tried to disrupt their day, and lets not forget teachers beating toddlers in schools across the country, tuk tuk drivers ripping off tourists, rapes , murders and a list of other crimes which mimic Thai soap operas...all of which never see anything close to the investigation, punishment, follow through of prosecution, loss of face, or even jail time that this tour guide is facing....

I'm scratching my head