Reel trouble in Phuket: Man hooked for fishing in temple pond

[snoop1130]

 

A Thai man in Phuket sparked controversy by fishing in front of people releasing fish at a temple pond, and ignoring their reactions. The incident, which took place at Wat Chaiyathararam in Chalong, was captured in a 29-second video shared by the Facebook page Newshawk Phuket.

 

The video shows a man in a black shirt calmly fishing, despite onlookers releasing fish into the pond. This action has led to a wave of criticism from the local community. One resident questioned if this behaviour is considered normal.

 

“I even spoke loudly to my friend, but he just sat there quietly, continuing to fish. I don’t know who owns this pond but fishing right in front of people feeding the fish is too much.”

 

The video also shows two to three other individuals on the right side of the frame, partially obscured by trees. The location is identified as the area for fish release within Wat Chaiyathararam, commonly known as Wat Chalong, in Mueang Phuket District.

 

Since the video went public, it garnered significant attention and prompted numerous comments. The community is divided, with many criticising the man’s insensitivity and lack of respect for the temple’s traditions and the people participating in the fish release.

 

“Phuket, this is too much. Fishing right in front of people releasing fish,” the Newshawk Phuket page captioned the video. The post has since been widely shared, drawing reactions from people both within and outside Phuket.

 

The practice of releasing fish is a common Buddhist tradition, symbolising the act of making merit and showing compassion towards living beings. This tradition is often observed at temples, where devotees release fish into ponds as a way of earning merit and seeking blessings. The man’s behaviour has been viewed as disrespectful and contrary to these values, said one netizen.

 

“Is this normal? Even when I spoke to my friend loudly, he just continued sitting and fishing without care.”

 

The sentiment reflects the community’s frustration and the cultural clash evident in the video. Despite the backlash, the man remained unfazed, continuing his fishing activity. His indifference has only intensified the criticism, with many calling for more respect towards religious practices and communal spaces.

 

By Bob Scott

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-08-05

 

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[fredwiggy]

Releasing fish into what could be an overcrowded pond could lead to the fish not having enough food to eat, which would kill many of them. Unless they are prepared to feed them daily, better to release the fish into lakes that have been netted out by locals, because conservation isn't practiced here besides in the provincial parks. If they want to show compassion towards living things, conservation is the way. Put and take, allowing a fish population to breed and taking out a few now and then, not netting out the whole lake so there's nothing left. And allowing dogs to breed haphazardly countrywide without neutering or spaying their own animals makes a lot of dogs wandering around, making babies and killed daily on the roads. Fishing should be allowed anyway, catch and release, or if the ponds overcrowded, allowing a few taken to eat, feeding the monks, although this wouldn't happen because of the idea of showing compassion towards living things, which many here don't do anyway.

[hotchilli]

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Phuket, this is too much. Fishing right in front of people releasing fish,” the Newshawk Phuket page captioned the video. The post has since been widely shared, drawing reactions from people both within and outside Phuket

The gap between the haves and the have nots... maybe the guy is out of work, baht-less and hungry.

[CanadaSam]

Lack of education and lack of common sense keeps this country from progressing, at all!

 

I have witnessed these ponds where there are so many fish, and not enough food, they literally gather in masses or hundreds and jump over each other to get the offered breadcrumbs.

 

I have been told that most of the fish are dead at the bottom of these ponds as they were not strong enough to fight others for the food.

 

I have also been told that they become cannibals and start eating each other's young due to hunger.

 

So, let's deny food to a poor and hungry fellow human being, and keep adding fish in to these "designated" temple ponds, where they can keep killing each other and keep living in perpetual hunger.

 

Doesn't really sound much like Buddhist behaviour, does it?

[PETERTHEEATER]

And they wonder what has caused the nationwide spread of the invasive Black Chin Tilapia. 🙄

[brianthainess]

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The practice of releasing fish is a common Buddhist tradition, symbolising the act of making merit and showing compassion towards living beings.

So where do they get the fish from ? are they caught over and over again ? if so not very compassionate is it.  

[brianthainess]

He could have been there before they turned up, they shouldn't have disturbed the man fishing, that is what is disrespectful. ps. what kind of fish ?

[john donson]

if the man is poor and hungry, why not... you ever saw a thin monk ?

 

the release at the temple is a scam anyways, same as buying those buckets for the monks, just resold for a cut of the action