Backlash as Foreigners Give Monks a High-Speed Lift in Pattaya

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of SiamChon.

 

A video circulating on social media showing two foreign tourists giving a lift to Buddhist monks on a motorcycle has sparked widespread criticism. Concerns have been raised over the appropriateness of the act, with some fearing it could bring disrepute to the religion.

 

The video, originally posted on TikTok by a user named @rjannie, who has around 600 followers, runs for approximately 37 seconds. The caption reads: “Anything goes in Pattaya! Foreigners giving monks a ride, snapping a pic, and getting a blessing. So cool! LOL.” 

 

The clip was later shared by the Facebook page “อยากดังเดี๋ยวจัดให้รีเทริน์” (Want to be famous? We’ll make it happen – Return) with an extended 48-second version. This version described the moment as a joyful experience for the tourists, with the monks even tying sacred wristbands and offering blessings.

 

The footage shows two foreign men riding a motorcycle with two monks as passengers before dropping them off at an undisclosed location. They then pose for photos with the monks as a memento of their encounter. The video has since sparked debate, with many questioning whether such an act is appropriate and warning of the potential damage to the religion’s image.

 

It remains unclear which temple the monks belong to, but the original poster claims the incident took place in Pattaya.

 

-- 2025-02-27

 

 

[flyingtlger]

The tats on the foreigner chest look like the photo!

[roo860]

Well done to the bike lads, excellent gesture. The monks accepted the ride, so their choice.

[jacko45k]

I remember picking up a monk who appeared to be thumbing for a ride once in the north. Put him in the rear bench seat of the truck. He was a right PIA, wouldn't stop talking and couldn't get rid of him! Kept changing his destination. Never again. 

[thesetat]

Yeah, Happened to me also. I dropped him off about 100km from where I picked him up and then continued travelling. Upon my return though. The same monk was in the same place I picked him up at before. Even though the monk had said he was enroute to Chiang Mai, some 800km from where were were.

[JoePai]

it could bring disrepute to the religion

 

They can do that by themsleves without any help thank you

[mran66]

Transporting monks certainly a job  reserved for Thai people only. 

 

Supporting monks and temples financially is ok for foreigners though 

[champers]

What is the problem? All parties look extremely happy; this should be a celebratory story.

[Mason45]

Where do I stand? I have 2 brother inlaws both are monks, reformed lao kaow alcoholics. They both reside at the same wat in a rural part of Korat. When I visit them I take them around in my car. If it's the wrong thing to do I don't care because after being married to my wife for 24 years I class both monks as personal friends. When we meet at the annual wat festival I shake their hands and put my arms around them. What people think is up to them, I say there's plenty of Thais I know that live in glass houses. Even most wat managent groups are on the take big time.

[Mason45]

1 hour ago, mran66 said:

Transporting monks certainly a job  reserved for Thai people only. 

 

Supporting monks and temples financially is ok for foreigners though 

Did Thai people pay entirely for the wat over the road from Fascino in Pattaya South Road. I think farangs via bar girls have been the major contributors over the years.

[Formaleins]

They cannot win whatever they do, it will never be good enough for the holier than thou Thais!

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

A video circulating on social media showing two foreign tourists giving a lift to Buddhist monks on a motorcycle has sparked widespread criticism. Concerns have been raised over the appropriateness of the act, with some fearing it could bring disrepute to the religion.

Were the monks forced to take the ride... NO

so give it up 

[Baba Naba]

I see no problem here.  I am glad it is hot in Thailand. Snow Flakes melt quickly.... 🙄

[CecilM]

Are they even real monks? Seems a lot of fake ones are out and about - and no one complains about that. 

[Celsius]

Arrest and DEPORT the monks

[Ben Zioner]

OMG, think of the smell on that motorbike..

[1happykamper]

Thai are really not liking ANYTHING that foreigners do nowadays. Geeeeez. We can't win with this moaning attitude about everything we do. 

 

Respect is a two way street! 

[norsurin]

I meet a munk at a bustation in hua-hin.I just had a figth with my exgf.And we sat and talking about this.

I speak thai well so i listening to his advice I follow hat he said to me and after everything feels better.

We couldn't sit together in the bus but it was a pleasant time before we went to Bangkok.

[digger70]

6 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

with some fearing it could bring disrepute to the religion. 

Come off it will ya Grow up..

[captain_shane]

3 minutes ago, 1happykamper said:

Thai are really not liking ANYTHING that foreigners do nowadays. Geeeeez. We can't win with this moaning attitude about everything we do. 

 

Respect is a two way street! 

Sure feels like it lately.

[mran66]

1 hour ago, champers said:

What is the problem? All parties look extremely happy; this should be a celebratory story.

 

Not uncommon (according to news at least) for "netizens" to get outraged of acts where the ones involved are extremely happy. 

 

Jealousy? Or just fake news and netizens actually happy too? 

[mran66]

13 minutes ago, 1happykamper said:

Thai are really not liking ANYTHING that foreigners do nowadays. Geeeeez. We can't win with this moaning attitude about everything we do. 

 

Respect is a two way street! 

 

Try enter National Park and you see locals happy. Or send money to treat sick buffalo or sick mama, papa, etc. 

[NickyLouie]

1 hour ago, Mason45 said:

Did Thai people pay entirely for the wat over the road from Fascino in Pattaya South Road. I think farangs via bar girls have been the major contributors over the years.

 

Wat Chai owns all the land around that temple, they ain't hurting for dosh.....

[captain_shane]

Just now, mran66 said:

 

Try enter National Park and you see locals happy. Or send money to treat sick buffalo or sick mama, papa, etc. 

I think at this point the vast majority would prefer we stay in our countries and wire them money each month without ever having to see us.

[Joe Boy Walton]

I had to go back a ways but I found it!

 

 https://www.yahoo.com/news/buddhist-monk-thailand-found-drunk-234151098.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAM3cQ3Qi3-NIu3inpOkE72K981tCt5_VvExnD1xqBDcQRNTwDYHlKLX8QzyOeteLIzEi1LmHB8PBQiaG78pQSgNqFBsV4f-PjO4MTqxkbHdEfmAeNoTUekL8PNwtmfZ0MFMP-9H_GNePWeP3xfkGwloULxpXfgvyxQmDrCRPbpPn

[jesimps]

6 hours ago, jacko45k said:

I remember picking up a monk who appeared to be thumbing for a ride once in the north. Put him in the rear bench seat of the truck. He was a right PIA, wouldn't stop talking and couldn't get rid of him! Kept changing his destination. Never again. 

On asking my stepdaughter if she was excited about seeing her uncle who is a monk and was due to stay with us, replied simply "He tok too mut".

[FritsSikkink]

3 minutes ago, jesimps said:

On asking my stepdaughter if she was excited about seeing her uncle who is a monk and was due to stay with us, replied simply "He tok too mut".

Teach her better English

[Celsius]

29 minutes ago, captain_shane said:

I think at this point the vast majority would prefer we stay in our countries and wire them money each month without ever having to see us.

 

But not for free, of course

 

It will cost you 500b on top of other fees for the privilege.

[steven100]

Netizens have to complain because it's two farang.  If it were two thai's nothing would have been mentioned.    ... 

[Hanuman2547]

Maybe the monks shouldn't accept rides from farangs if it is going to put a bad look on the religion.