Popular Post webfact Posted February 13, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 13, 2023 Picture: Daily News A monk born on the southern English island of The Isle of Wight who came to Thailand decades ago has finally been granted Thai citizenship. Daily News said that various media outlets were sharing pictures of Phra Ajarn Jayasaro of the Ban Ry Thawsi Religious Center in Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima, NE Thailand as he had his picture taken for a Thai ID card. His Majesty the King royally bestowed Thai nationality on the monk back in March 2020 under special circumstances. But it's taken a while to get that all important "bat prachachon". It was noted that his long time residence, strict observance of the Buddhist tenets, proficiency in Dhamma (Buddha's teachings) and important roles in Buddhist teaching in the kingdom at an international temple as well as abroad marked him for the honor of Thai citizenship. He was born Sean Michael Chiverton in 1958. He was poorly as a child often missing school due to asthma but he showed resilience by teaching himself. Picture: Daily News He had questioned as a young man why there were so many wars when we should all live in harmony. He attended the Hampstead temple in London and came to Thailand in 1979 ordaining as a novice at the temple of Wat Nong Pa Phong in Ubon Ratchathani. He was ordained as a fully fledged monk in 1980. He originally intended to be in Thailand for just 5 years but he was influenced by a well known monk called Ajarn Chah whose teachings he admired. Many of his sermons and teachings inspired initially by Chah can be seen on YouTube. Now aged 65 after more than four decades in Thailand he can finally say he is Thai. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2023-02-13 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information. Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information 5 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ezzra Posted February 13, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 13, 2023 (edited) I could never understand the strong aversion of the Thai government to its successions not to award Thai citizenship to foreigners who reside in the kingdom and are tax paying model people, especially when many thousands of Thais are getting foreign citizenship in many other countries, an act that bordering on racism if i may use this term. Edited February 13, 2023 by ezzra 7 1 5 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bob smith Posted February 13, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 13, 2023 (edited) and yet those with Thai children and who bring in money from overseas find it nigh on impossible to get citizenship. Good to know what is really valued here... Edited February 13, 2023 by bob smith 4 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post JoePai Posted February 13, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 13, 2023 Heck of a way to get out of the 90 day reporting 1 1 17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bannork Posted February 13, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 13, 2023 By all accounts Ajarn Cha was a memorable figure. There's a fascinating book, 'Venerable Father', written by an American, Paul Breiter, who was a monk at Ajarn Cha's temple in Ubon for some years. The book is very down to earth, as Ajarn Cha was. Describing a restless Western novice monk, Ajarn Cha compares him to a man with unknowingly a piece of dog sheet in his pocket. 'He walks over here and sits down. It doesn't smell good so he goes over there. The same thing happens.' We can run away from our circumstances but we can't run away from ourselves. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BKKBike09 Posted February 13, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 13, 2023 42 minutes ago, ezzra said: I could never understand the strong aversion of the Thai government to its successions not to award Thai citizenship to foreigners who reside in the kingdom and are tax paying model people, especially when many thousands of Thais are getting foreign citizenship in many other countries, an act that bordering on racism if i may use this term. 'tax paying' is the critical point. Monks obviously don't pay tax, because they don't (shouldn't) have any income. It also scuppers any chance of retirees applying for Thai nationality. Back to Ajarn Jayasaro - he well deserves Thai nationality, the tax nonsense notwithstanding. He's a good guy and very engaging to talk to (met him on various occasions through Thawsi School, which BTW is also an excellent Thai school). 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobBKK Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 Good luck to him - but as Buddhists don't believe in luck, the real ones, best wishes is more appropriate. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H1w4yR1da Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 I've never understood the worshipping of Western Monks. What's the deal? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bannork Posted February 13, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 13, 2023 13 minutes ago, H1w4yR1da said: I've never understood the worshipping of Western Monks. What's the deal? Thai men are expected at some point to become monks, it's a duty to make merit, say after a parent dies. But when a Westerner ordains, it's like wow! He gave up a comfortable life in the West to follow the precepts. He must be sincere. Here he is, at 25 mins, talking about the incompatibility of Buddhism and factory farming in Thailand. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post elwood Posted February 13, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 13, 2023 (edited) 4 hours ago, BKKBike09 said: 'tax paying' is the critical point. Monks obviously don't pay tax, because they don't (shouldn't) have any income. It also scuppers any chance of retirees applying for Thai nationality. Back to Ajarn Jayasaro - he well deserves Thai nationality, the tax nonsense notwithstanding. He's a good guy and very engaging to talk to (met him on various occasions through Thawsi School, which BTW is also an excellent Thai school). I met Ajarn Jayasaro when he was at Wat Nong Pa Phong. I was the only farang sitting with a group of Thais, including my wife, he was talking to. As they began to disburse, he spoke to me in English, about his early days,, and life in Thailand for him and I. As you say, a charming and engaging man. Edited February 13, 2023 by metisdead Odd formatting reset to normal. 6 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezzra Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 1 hour ago, BKKBike09 said: 'tax paying' is the critical point. Monks obviously don't pay tax, because they don't (shouldn't) have any income. It also scuppers any chance of retirees applying for Thai nationality. Back to Ajarn Jayasaro - he well deserves Thai nationality, the tax nonsense notwithstanding. He's a good guy and very engaging to talk to (met him on various occasions through Thawsi School, which BTW is also an excellent Thai school). NOT belittling Ajarn Jayasaro the rightfulness to be awarded the Thai nationality, there are many other foreigners that contribute to the Thai society in their own ways and means and just as important what with charities, donations, teaching and rescues, you don't want them to receive Thai nationality? than award them a special status that will be as good as a Thai national but without the yearly hassles and the costs involved. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josephbloggs Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 1 hour ago, H1w4yR1da said: I've never understood the worshipping of Western Monks. What's the deal? Who's worshipping him? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post eeworldwide Posted February 13, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 13, 2023 He has found his happiness in life - thats more than can be said for so many farang men of his age who are wedged here. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko45k Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 3 hours ago, bob smith said: and yet those with Thai children and who bring in money from overseas find it nigh on impossible to get citizenship. Good to know what is really valued here... Perhaps not money.... get some saffron robes, and in 40+ years, just maybe..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Myran Posted February 13, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 13, 2023 "Now aged 65 after more than four decades in Thailand he can finally say he is Thai." No, he cannot. He can say that he has Thai citizenship. 3 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metisdead Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 A racist post has been reported and removed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deserted Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 Seems like an awfully long time to sort out something relatively simple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigStar Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 3 hours ago, ezzra said: . . . just as important you don't want them to receive Thai nationality? No. Good on 'em, but no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BigStar Posted February 13, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 13, 2023 5 hours ago, webfact said: It was noted that his long time residence, strict observance of the Buddhist tenets, proficiency in Dhamma (Buddha's teachings) and important roles in Buddhist teaching in the kingdom at an international temple as well as abroad marked him for the honor of Thai citizenship. Setting a good example for all our Brits here. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Woof999 Posted February 13, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 13, 2023 He has spent more time in the monkhood than the lifespan of most people alive, so respect from me. Not really my cup of tea, but I can appreciate the devotion and sacrifice. 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChaiyaTH Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 So after 40 years of dedication being a monk, he got the ID, at 65, like 30 years too late. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotchilli Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 5 hours ago, webfact said: Now aged 65 after more than four decades in Thailand he can finally say he is Thai. Maybe one day Thailand will wake up and see the light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unblocktheplanet Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 And Father Joe Maier? At 83, he still has annual treks to Chaeng Wattana. No one could be more selfless. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maestro Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 Removed some troll posts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardColeman Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 7 hours ago, bob smith said: and yet those with Thai children and who bring in money from overseas find it nigh on impossible to get citizenship. It's a real catch 22 for a lot of us, cannot get thai citizenships to bring up the kids and getting them to you own country can prove just as hard to lower earning people Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoseThailand Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 Poor guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoseThailand Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 On the positive side, now he can drive a tuk-tuk for a living! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proton Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 2 minutes ago, JoseThailand said: Poor guy He would probably say life is suffering, and as he as been here over 40 years would be well used to it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoseThailand Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 7 hours ago, ezzra said: I could never understand the strong aversion of the Thai government to its successions not to award Thai citizenship to foreigners who reside in the kingdom and are tax paying model people, especially when many thousands of Thais are getting foreign citizenship in many other countries, an act that bordering on racism if i may use this term. Purity of the nation. Something that was long forgotten in the West. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoseThailand Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 But, considering how many mixed-race Thai kids there are, due to the influx of single and lonely foreigners, Thai nation is already spoiled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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