Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

A Nonthaburi MP has sparked controversy over funding for Buddhist pilgrimages.

 

Nont Pisarnlimjaroenkit, a People's Party (PP) MP representing Nonthaburi's Constituency 8, found himself in hot water after comments made in parliament. During a debate on Friday, he proposed cutting a 5-million-baht (approximately 4.5 million Thai Baht) budget intended to fund trips for 100 monks to significant Buddhist sites in Las Vegas, India, and Nepal.

 

His remarks questioned the need for such funds, asking, "Why do monks need high morale to do their work? It costs 50,000 baht per person just to go there and pay respects to something we do not even know about."

 

Following intense criticism on social media, Mr Nont issued a public apology via Facebook on Sunday. "I express my regret and apologise to Buddhists and the wider public over the language I used during the debate regarding the sacred sites," he wrote. He acknowledged that his words had offended many and seemed to undermine respect for these revered locations.

 

Clarifying his intentions, Mr Nont stated he did not aim to insult anyone's beliefs but sought to scrutinise how public funds were allocated. He emphasised the necessity for government agencies to justify their expenditure in terms of efficiency and overall benefit, and he pledged to approach future debates with more sensitivity.

 

The backlash extended beyond social media, with Amarat Chokepamitkul, a former MP of the now-dissolved Move Forward Party, criticising his remarks as "careless, immature and deeply disappointing," highlighting the sensitive nature of religious topics.

 

Adding to the controversy, Phra Maha Narin, abbot of the Thai Temple in Las Vegas, called for the Constitutional Court to consider dissolving the People's Party. He argued that Mr Nont's comments displayed a lack of respect for Buddhism and an insufficient understanding of its values. The abbot noted that the Tripitaka, the Buddhist scripture, advises adherents to visit these sacred sites at least once in their lifetime.

 

The episode underscores the challenges faced by lawmakers in balancing fiscal scrutiny with cultural and religious sensitivities. As Mr Nont seeks to learn from this incident, the incident has ignited broader discussions on how such matters should be approached within the political arena.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-08-18

 

Problem being most Thais agree with him - sending them off to Las Vegas   🤣

Las Vegas? What Buddhist sites are there? Just about Casinos and hotels.

Surely they can stay home and practice their vows without having to spend time on a junket to USA - the last place on earth to find enlightenment, seems the only one who has come away from the US smiling in the last 6 months is Putin. 

This is a waste of tax payer funds.   What value do Monks truly provide to society? 

Of all the places in the world you can go they put a temple in Las Vegas, it that so the punters can the numbers, 

14 hours ago, Photoguy21 said:

Las Vegas? What Buddhist sites are there? Just about Casinos and hotels.

The monks are following that old wisdom, 'Don't run after money, go where money is'.

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Why do monks need high morale to do their work? It costs 50,000 baht per person just to go there and pay respects to something we do not even know about."

No apologies necessary. Just the truth

Sending monks on junketts. 

Monks wanting the PP be disolved instead of forgiving them.

Monks wanting more respect for them and the religion despite their recent and not so recent indiscretions. 

Monks stating that the scriptures advise every one should visit these sacred sites once in a life time (Las Vegas?). 

 

Delicious. 

18 hours ago, JoePai said:

Problem being most Thais agree with him - sending them off to Las Vegas   🤣

I would like that if they didn't come back .

Thai MP Apologises for Remarks on Buddhist Funding Debat.

 

Why apologise, Monks have Too much money as it is now ,they get money every year from the Government and they collect Millions from the People every day .

I say don't give them Anything .

Tell them to get Self sufficient like the European Real monks and stop begging for money.

4 hours ago, soalbundy said:

The monks are following that old wisdom, 'Don't run after money, go where money is'.

I assume that is you interpretation 

I thought becoming a monk meant giving up worldly things. Clearly, Las Vegas is the epitome of worldly things.

22 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

During a debate on Friday, he proposed cutting a 5-million-baht (approximately 4.5 million Thai Baht) budget intended to fund trips for 100 monks to significant Buddhist sites in Las Vegas, India, and Nepal.

I'm with him on this one.

2 hours ago, Purdey said:

I thought becoming a monk meant giving up worldly things. Clearly, Las Vegas is the epitome of worldly things.

I've heard on the grapevine Las Vegas is a shadow of it's former glory.

Apparently Miami is now the go-to attraction state

21 hours ago, Mike_Hunt said:

This is a waste of tax payer funds.   What value do Monks truly provide to society? 

Nothing from what I see 

22 hours ago, Photoguy21 said:

Las Vegas? What Buddhist sites are there? Just about Casinos and hotels.

 

These are holy sites for most Thais.

5 minutes ago, Loyl said:

Nothing from what I see 

 

Another Pol Pot in our midst.

23 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

significant Buddhist sites in Las Vegas,

 

Party on.

9 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

 

These are holy sites for most Thais.

They just go down to Cambodia for it no need to go to Las Vegas

Just more outrage netizens stirring up a tempest in a teapot, these are snowflakes with ultra thin skin and they take everything personally. It's a very pathetic thing to witness, mankind seems to be getting weaker by the day, largely due to (SMD) the social media disease.

 

And this guy is absolutely correct, these monks should not be treated like anybody special ,they're just guys with orange robes that are supposed to be spending a lot of time in meditation and contemplation, and helping society. 

 

Sad to see him backdown ......he was spot on.

18 minutes ago, Photoguy21 said:

They just go down to Cambodia for it no need to go to Las Vegas

 

But not at the moment, at least in the border town Casinos

On 8/18/2025 at 4:40 PM, snoop1130 said:

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

A Nonthaburi MP has sparked controversy over funding for Buddhist pilgrimages.

 

Nont Pisarnlimjaroenkit, a People's Party (PP) MP representing Nonthaburi's Constituency 8, found himself in hot water after comments made in parliament. During a debate on Friday, he proposed cutting a 5-million-baht (approximately 4.5 million Thai Baht) budget intended to fund trips for 100 monks to significant Buddhist sites in Las Vegas, India, and Nepal.

 

His remarks questioned the need for such funds, asking, "Why do monks need high morale to do their work? It costs 50,000 baht per person just to go there and pay respects to something we do not even know about."

 

Following intense criticism on social media, Mr Nont issued a public apology via Facebook on Sunday. "I express my regret and apologise to Buddhists and the wider public over the language I used during the debate regarding the sacred sites," he wrote. He acknowledged that his words had offended many and seemed to undermine respect for these revered locations.

 

Clarifying his intentions, Mr Nont stated he did not aim to insult anyone's beliefs but sought to scrutinise how public funds were allocated. He emphasised the necessity for government agencies to justify their expenditure in terms of efficiency and overall benefit, and he pledged to approach future debates with more sensitivity.

 

The backlash extended beyond social media, with Amarat Chokepamitkul, a former MP of the now-dissolved Move Forward Party, criticising his remarks as "careless, immature and deeply disappointing," highlighting the sensitive nature of religious topics.

 

Adding to the controversy, Phra Maha Narin, abbot of the Thai Temple in Las Vegas, called for the Constitutional Court to consider dissolving the People's Party. He argued that Mr Nont's comments displayed a lack of respect for Buddhism and an insufficient understanding of its values. The abbot noted that the Tripitaka, the Buddhist scripture, advises adherents to visit these sacred sites at least once in their lifetime.

 

The episode underscores the challenges faced by lawmakers in balancing fiscal scrutiny with cultural and religious sensitivities. As Mr Nont seeks to learn from this incident, the incident has ignited broader discussions on how such matters should be approached within the political arena.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-08-18

 

don't u know? the temple in LasVegas is very important, can't miss it on such trips! 🤪😁

yep, and if some MP says something about it then everyone is over him, instead of useless trips abroad...