Chiang Rai Monk Faces Scrutiny After Hugging Foreign Woman

[webfact]

Photo via TikTok/ @gina.warinthorn

 

CHIANG RAI, THAILAND – Police in Chiang Rai are actively searching for a Buddhist monk who was seen embracing a foreign woman, reportedly from France, at a bus terminal.

 

A video, originally shared by a Thai TikTok user @gina.warinthorn, shows the monk seated with the woman on a bench, where they were reportedly hugging, stirring debate over propriety and cultural norms. The incident took place at Mae Kha Jarn Bus Terminal, where passengers, including the TikToker, were taking a break en route from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai.

 

The video sparked a flurry of comments from the Thai online community. The user noted in her post that the day was particularly cold, and the monk allegedly offered his robe to the woman. Despite the weather, the act crossed a line, breaching the monastic code that prohibits physical contact with women.

 

Eyewitness accounts describe an awkward exchange: the foreign woman attempted to return the monk’s robe, but he insisted she retain it. Further complicating the matter, the monk tried to take back a long-sleeved shirt from her—a gesture met with an awkward smile.

 

 

 

While much of the public empathised with the foreign woman, suggesting she likely didn’t understand Buddhist customs, they criticised the monk for his indiscretion. There are allegations that he might have been under the influence of alcohol or possibly an impostor.

 

Following the release of the footage, the abbot of a nearby temple, along with police from Mae Chedi Station, visited the site for further investigation. Witnesses at the bus terminal reported the monk often appeared intoxicated. However, this was the first instance where his actions starkly violated monastic discipline by physically engaging with a woman.

 

Photo via Facebook/ เป็นข่าว

 

The investigation remains open. The monk left his possessions behind on a bench—items including his alms bowl, a pillow, food offerings, a bag, and robes—before departing for Chiang Mai by bus later that day. Witnesses noted he arrived at the terminal via a local's pickup truck.

 

Local vendors and terminal workers recounted seeing the monk leave, adding fuel to speculation regarding his true identity. The abbot voiced concerns about the adverse impact of the monk’s actions, fearing potential damage to the revered image of Thai monastic life and urging for the monk's expulsion from the order.

 

As authorities continue their inquiry, the incident serves as a cautionary note about cultural misunderstandings and the responsibilities of those upholding religious tenets, reported The Thaiger..

 

 

@gina.warinthorn คือ เรื่องมีอยู่ว่า กำลังนั่งกรีนบัสกลับเชียงใหม่ แวะพักที่ แม่ขะจาน มี หลวงพี่กับสีกาแหม่มสาวชาวฝรั่งเศส กำลังนั่งโอบกอดท้าสายลม แล้วก้อมีพี่เจ้าหน้าที่มาห้ามไว้ ไม่มีการละอายเลย กลางสถานีขนส่งแม่ขะจาน!!! #tiktok #พระสงฆ์ #หลวงพี่ #อาบัติ #โหนกระแส #โหนกระแสวันนี้ #บาป #ผิดศีลข้อ3 #พระปลอม #อย่าปิดการมองเห็น ♬ เสียงต้นฉบับ - gina.warinthorn

 

 

-- 2025-03-21

 

 

[Nick Carter icp]

Looks like the Monk wants his shorts back from here 

[J Branche]

I'm only going by the video in this post.

 

It appears the monk is telling her to take her white sweater and put it on to cover her exposed shoulders

which is custom when visiting a temple.  

 

[loong]

45 minutes ago, J Branche said:

I'm only going by the video in this post.

 

It appears the monk is telling her to take her white sweater and put it on to cover her exposed shoulders

which is custom when visiting a temple.  

 

But they were at a Bus station, not a temple.

[PETERTHEEATER]

19 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Looks like the Monk wants his shorts back from here 

Yellow 'H' Fronts are back in fashion?

[Harrisfan]

He didnt hug her

[hotchilli]

19 hours ago, webfact said:

fearing potential damage to the revered image of Thai monastic life

Like everything else here, just scratch the surface...

[Woke to Sounds]

Gorgeous short cut orange shorts on the French broad.

 

Throw the book at the perv monk!!

[ronster]

Is he wanting her to remove her other top 😀

[trainman34014]

I see them in Supermarkets loading Trolley's with Whiskey, Gin, Vodka and Cases of Beer.  Does that not count as showing ''Potential damage to the revered image of Thai Monastic life '' ?

 

Bunch of Jpkers; just Men wearing Orange Frocks !

[Unclernie]

He wasn’t diddling.