EDITORIAL

Monks have friends in high places

By The Nation

 

Accused of serious crimes the former Phra Buddha Isara nevertheless gets an apology
 

It was dismaying to see Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his deputy, Prawit Wongsuwan, rush to apologise for an “impolite” temple raid in Nakhon Pathom in which a well-known Buddhist monk was arrested.

 

Rare is the occasion when government leaders tell their subordinates in charge of upholding the law to be more polite to criminal suspects. Perhaps the generals of the military junta-led government should be extending their apologies to all suspects who are “rudely” arrested.

 

But, no, apparently the top brass felt particularly uneasy at the way Suvit Thongprasert was apprehended – by heavily armed commandos – which led to his jailing without bail. By religious dictates, the denial of bail meant the abbot of Wat Omoi, widely revered as Phra Buddha Isara, had to be immediately defrocked and resume his lay name. The difference between Suvit and so many other arrested persons is, of course, his close alliance with the generals.

 

The apology came only after the monk’s incensed followers condemned the police raid, and this group has been outspoken in its support for the junta and the 2014 coup. As Phra Buddha Isara, Suvit led street protests that year against the government of Yingluck Shinawatra. He and former Democrat Party deputy leader Suthep Thaugsuban set up the People’s Democratic Reform Committee to demand that she resign.

 

Buddhist monks certainly have the individual right to assume political stances, but this it is not a tradition in Buddhism, which in fact discourages such involvement. At the height of the anti-Yingluck rallies, Buddha Issara allegedly ordered demonstrators to attack two undercover Special Branch police officers and seize their pistols.

 

He has also reportedly confessed to using without permission the initials of Their Majesties King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit on amulets he had made to sell to the faithful. The use of amulets has little enough to do with true Buddhism, but usurping the honour of the monarchy for such dishonest purposes is utterly immoral.

 

At the same time that Phra Buddha Isara was being arrested last Thursday, the same fate was befalling five senior monks in raids on three Bangkok temples. All were similarly denied bail and defrocked. They and Suwit were given white robes to wear and placed in separate prison cells. 

 

Prayut, chastised by Suwit’s followers, who happen to be his allies, made the apology – but he didn’t explain why the arrest came now, four or more years after the alleged crimes were committed. And he wasn’t about to elaborate on why an apology was issued here but not in other criminal cases. Perhaps he has in mind higher standards and procedures for police operations.

 

No one will deny, though, that firm procedures are essential for the prosecution of monks. Nor will anyone argue that the Supreme Sangha Council and other authorities need to curb corruption and all misbehaviour in the ranks of monks. To have Buddha Issara and five other senior monks arrested and disrobed the same day is ample proof that Thai Buddhism is in dire trouble.

 

The military government has always trod carefully in its dealings with the monkhood, wishing to avoid controversy where possible.

 

On this occasion, had the arrested monk not been Buddha Issara, perhaps Prayut and Prawit would have said nothing. By apologising, they were seen to bow to pressure from potential electoral supporters and at the same time undermine hope for religious reform.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30346481

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-05-29

This country is like the "human centipede"... Everyone has their noes up someone else ring piece ?

37 minutes ago, webfact said:

It was dismaying to see Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his deputy, Prawit Wongsuwan, rush to apologise for an “impolite” temple raid in Nakhon Pathom in which a well-known Buddhist monk was arrested.

underscores the social attitude here that crime is OK , not only tolerated, but even expected ,by Some groups

38 minutes ago, webfact said:

At the height of the anti-Yingluck rallies, Buddha Issara allegedly ordered demonstrators to attack two undercover Special Branch police officers and seize their pistols.

In light of his demonstrated proclivity towards violence (see paragraph quoted above), it was entirely reasonable to consider that resistance was possible and thus take steps to negate it in advance.

 

40 minutes ago, webfact said:

Prayut, chastised by Suwit’s followers, who happen to be his allies, made the apology – but he didn’t explain why the arrest came now, four or more years after the alleged crimes were committed. And he wasn’t about to elaborate on why an apology was issued here but not in other criminal cases.

"...who happen to be his allies..."

 

What a true and embarrassing statement. The Junta claimed that it took power to restore order and the rule of law, yet treats its allies differently.

 

Until Thailand can achieve a fair and respectable system of laws and justice, it will forever remain a third-world country. And this apology is clearly a symptom of this 'third-worldism'.

 

I am ashamed for Thailand at the moment...

 

Thailand the hub of moral and ethical and criminal double standards. One standard for the PM's friends and political allies and another standard for everyone else. 

A wolf in sheep's clothing, nothing more. What a high % of these charlatans in orange get up to is truly immoral and incredibly far removed from actual Buddhism.

It is very clear that very few Thais, and fewer monks truly understand what Buddhism amounts to, and actually adhere to it.

It's a giant fraud and shit-show ?

"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others"

Saw an article about monk health. A lot of them are obese with health problems due to high intake of sugar drinks.

 

Of course they ran to apologise, they know what side their bread is buttered on.  If it wasn't for Issara and his mate Suthep, Prayuth wouldn't have the country.  This will all be just a terrible misunderstanding 

33 minutes ago, z42 said:

A wolf in sheep's clothing, nothing more. What a high % of these charlatans in orange get up to is truly immoral and incredibly far removed from actual Buddhism.

It is very clear that very few Thais, and fewer monks truly understand what Buddhism amounts to, and actually adhere to it.

It's a giant fraud and shit-show ?

A Thai bro-in-law always said "Better to feed the dogs".

Monks have friends in high places = Crooks have fellow crooks in high places

An apology now,  what next a pardon? 

17 minutes ago, Justfine said:

Saw an article about monk health. A lot of them are obese with health problems due to high intake of sugar drinks.

Fat chants. Do you expect them to ride bicycles and do press ups? 

20 minutes ago, ratcatcher said:

Fat chants. Do you expect them to ride bicycles and do press ups? 

"Fat chants."

 

Brilliant,positively brilliant..

38 minutes ago, Oziex1 said:

An apology now,  what next a pardon? 

Why not after all  "he who must be obeyed" you will remember doesn't understand politics and needs someone to help him. GOD (not Buddha) help us all if this fruitcake gets back into power

Ummm.

Who took the video?

Why was it released?

 

2 hours ago, ratcatcher said:

Fat chants. Do you expect them to ride bicycles and do press ups? 

The bicycle that immediately springs to my mind is the type Charlie Cairoli used to ride. I wonder why?

Going on previous press reports on the subject of monks: Doing 'press-ups' - yes, but on who?

 

edit:

"Monks have friends in high places" In any other other country it would be assumed to be a theological statement.

 

Edited May 29, 20188 yr by bluesofa

Prayut embarrass Thai people.

Go away!

They do have friends in 'high places' but those places are not heavenly just earthly.

16 minutes ago, Juan B Tong said:

Ummm.

Who took the video?

Why was it released?

 

Yes.  It was guaranteed to create heartburn among the faithful.  Silly to make it public.  Probably knew there would be no "pointing"
photo opportunities on this arrest so they just felt they needed to show themselves as gung-ho BIB's to make up for their loss..

4 hours ago, Justfine said:

Saw an article about monk health. A lot of them are obese with health problems due to high intake of sugar drinks.

 

In the USA?

Even Dumb 1 and dumb 2 know they cant afford to turn the people against the "Orange corporation" as its the merit face thing that holds it all in place .

We dont want people questioning that do we ? could lead to all sorts of uprising questions being asked

4 hours ago, Oziex1 said:

An apology now,  what next a pardon? 

Just have to let people forget, and yes...a pardon.

4 hours ago, ratcatcher said:

Fat chants. Do you expect them to ride bicycles and do press ups? 

No but they do bicep curls from receiving money and ornaments. 

10 minutes ago, poohy said:

Even Dumb 1 and dumb 2 know they cant afford to turn the people against the "Orange corporation" as its the merit face thing that holds it all in place .

We dont want people questioning that do we ? could lead to all sorts of uprising questions being asked

It's just occurred to me seeing your description "Orange corporation" made me think about True Corp.

Looking on wiki it said that regarding True, "Orange sold off its stake in 2003"

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_Corporation

 

Isn't there some sort of irony here? Those two words "True" and "Orange" were linked, but in a (different, more honest) commercial enterprise.

 

Birds of a feather. . . 

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Buddhist monks certainly have the individual right to assume political stances, but this it is not a tradition in Buddhism, which in fact discourages such involvement. At the height of the anti-Yingluck rallies, Buddha Issara allegedly ordered demonstrators to attack two undercover Special Branch police officers and seize their pistols.

 

He has also reportedly confessed to using without permission the initials of Their Majesties King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit on amulets he had made to sell to the faithful. The use of amulets has little enough to do with true Buddhism, but usurping the honour of the monarchy for such dishonest purposes is utterly immoral.

So it's not difficult to understand that this guy gives the institution of Buddhism a bad name.  Amulets for the faithful and even worse, using the institution of the monarchy for personal gain?  Amulets have nothing to do with Buddhism and everything to do with Animist superstition. Then selling them?  A monk into the profession of Sales?   Sorry, monks who engage in this practice are charlatans and these are the acts of individuals who are far from being true Buddhist monks, and their acts harm the reputation of the Sangha. 
Then when wondering about the heavy handedness of the police?  What other country do you think there is where you can order an attack on police officers and believe you're not going to suffer retribution at a later date?  Sweden maybe.  Virtually everywhere else, the cops are going to go beyond evening the score.  They'll get revenge and they did.
Political expediency dictates that the PTB suck up to this guy; however, he's right where he belongs.  The fact that he curries favor with the upper crust says a lot about both him and those who seek his favor. 

Edited May 29, 20188 yr by connda

5 hours ago, ratcatcher said:

Fat chants. Do you expect them to ride bicycles and do press ups? 

Some do

 

At least this story made me listen to Steve Goodman's song again:

 

?Down to the banana republics, things aren't as warm as they seem?

Edited May 29, 20188 yr by Lupatria

Quote

Monks have friends in high places

But maybe one even higher who is not their friend.

Police must have a very strong backing to do these arrests without the military stopping them and freeing the prisoners (as happened in the past).

Edited May 29, 20188 yr by KhunBENQ