Buddhist Monks On Hi5

[gjones]

Buddhist monks likely to be barred accessing popular website

BANGKOK, March 4 (TNA) – Concerned over inappropriate behaviour among Thai Buddhist monks, Prime Minister's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair said on Tuesday he would ask the Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) Ministry to find a measure to prevent monks from using the popular social networking website www.hi5.com.

"Thailand is a Buddhist society, so I don't want this to happen as it can tarnish the image of Buddism," he said after the news report that some monks log on to the website and post improper messages as well as chatting to female members.

The minister said he would discuss with ICT officials how to respond to the problem.

He also called for Internet users to refrain from contacting monks via the website as it iwas deemed inappropriate.

When asked whether the government would block the website from access by Buddhist monks, Mr. Jakrapob said the government had to weigh the pros and cons of the matter as the website is useful for online visitors to search for information and job opportunities.

Meanwhile, Phrathepwisuthikawi, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Planning of Mahamakut Buddhist University cautioned that monks should not be barred from the website if their actions are meant for religious purposes.

"If monks use the website to propagate Buddhist teaching, it's not wrong," he explained. "It must be considered case by case."

However, the senior monk urged the ICT to continue monitoring websites which can pose harm to young people or to Buddhism instead. (TNA)-E004

http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=3115

It not the first of April is it?

[sriracha john]

Screen capture of monk's page on Hi 5

Thai Rath

News article here (in Thai):

http://www.thairath.co.th/offline.php?sect...p;content=81132

[sriracha john]

Jakrapob considers blocking website

The Prime Minister’s Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair has ordered the Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) ministry to keep a close watch on the use of social networking site www.hi5.com after it emerged a Buddhist monk had been using the site to woo women. "I am upset by this," he said. "Any sort of misdeed caused by monks results in the deterioration of Buddhism." Jakrapob has already consulted with ICT ministry officials to lay down possible measures to ensure that something like this does not recur.

"We are still determining the pros and cons of blocking the site altogether," he said.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=126300

[londonthai]

it's authoritarianism/totalitarianism of the thai state and it's ministers and representatives to regulate the social live in every possible corner, even the private live.

sort out the corruption and outrite crime in the high eshelons of business and of the thai oligarchy and than teach monks morality.

[endure]

it's authoritarianism/totalitarianism of the thai state and it's ministers and representatives to regulate the social live in every possible corner, even the private live.

That's not a characteristic confined to the Thai state. Many Western states think it's ok to punish the many law-abiding citizens in order to restrict the excesses of the few who aren't.

[gjones]

Jakrapob considers blocking website

The Prime Minister’s Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair has ordered the Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) ministry to keep a close watch on the use of social networking site www.hi5.com after it emerged a Buddhist monk had been using the site to woo women. "I am upset by this," he said. "Any sort of misdeed caused by monks results in the deterioration of Buddhism." Jakrapob has already consulted with ICT ministry officials to lay down possible measures to ensure that something like this does not recur.

"We are still determining the pros and cons of blocking the site altogether," he said.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=126300

If that is his way of thinking, looks out MSN Messenger, Skype, and Yahoo Messenger they too could be deemed as site to woo women.

I wonder if there are monks in Adult Finder or Alt.Com?

[sriracha john]

More alleged info on the why these measures are coming about... and certainly, turning up the volume...

Buddhist Monks Could Be Banned From Social Networking Site

Thai government weighing pros and cons

The Thai government is asking its Information, Communications and Technology Ministry to find a way to prevent Buddhist monks from inappropriately using social networking sites to flirt with women.

The governments concern stems from an arrest of a monk who used a social networking site to convince a woman to visit his temple and then raped her.

"I call on Hi5 users to tell the monks to leave the site if they are found using it," Prime Minister's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair told reporters after a Buddhist monitoring group said some monks were acting inappropriately on the site.

Thai media reported on Tuesday that a 23-year-old monk was caught raping a teenager he lured to his room via the Web site.

"I am upset by this," Jakrapob said. "Any sort of misdeed caused by monks results in the deterioration of Buddhism."

Jakrapob said the government had to weigh the pros and cons of blocking the Web site from access by Buddhist monks and noted that the site was useful for online visitors to search for information and job opportunities.

Phrathepwisuthikawi, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Planning of Mahamakut Buddhist University said that monks should not be banned from the Web site if they are using it for religious purposes.

"If monks use the website to propagate Buddhist teaching, it's not wrong," he explained. "It must be considered case by case."

- WebPro News

[Dakhar]

it's authoritarianism/totalitarianism of the thai state and it's ministers and representatives to regulate the social live in every possible corner, even the private live.

That's not a characteristic confined to the Thai state. Many Western states think it's ok to punish the many law-abiding citizens in order to restrict the excesses of the few who aren't.

Even if that is the case, that does not mean Thailand should ingage in wrong practices because others do!

[simon43]

I don't see what/how/why the government wants to block access to this website. Monks are ordained by their own choice. If they want to break their precepts, then that is a matter for each to be dealt with on an individual basis. What's the point of voluntary ordaining if you're going to break your precepts??

Monks are the same as everyone else in society some good, some bad. Wearing saffron robes does not suddenly make you a good person.

Simon

Edited March 5, 2008 by simon43

[spot]

Monks can use mobile phones to woo women, so why not think about banning them too? Oh and the 'short time' hotels...

Every now and then the gov/ ICT reminds us just how scared they are of the internet.

BOO!

[Galong]

I don't see what/how/why the government wants to block access to this website. Monks are ordained by their own choice. If they want to break their precepts, then that is a matter for each to be dealt with on an individual basis. What's the point of voluntary ordaining if you're going to break your precepts??

Monks are the same as everyone else in society some good, some bad. Wearing saffron robes does not suddenly make you a good person.

Simon

Well-said Simon... I was on a mountain bike ride last week and my buddies and I went over to a small shop after the ride to have a beer. Three monks walked in while we were sitting there and they all bought cigarettes. I found that to be rather odd for monks, but like you say, they are in the monkhood of their own choise and there are worse things to do than smoking cigarettes. Banning websites seems a step in the wrong direction.

If the gov is so interested in the actions of monks, they should start working on instilling a sense of right and wrong in Thai society from birth. Banning is a knee-jerk reaction and ineffective in reality. This is something I would expect in Burma... same, same

[Eric1949]

Dodgy topic this one. As far as I am aware there are about 4 different types of monk.

1. Monk for rest of life.

2. 'Conscript' monks, the ones who go into the monkhood for short time in late teens/early twenties for family status.

3. Men who become short time monk as a stress reliever, such as company management.

4. I've seen boys and young men become short time monks in the days of mourning, prior to cremation.

So I feel the ones who use mobile phones, smoke, use taxis, surf the internet and can be seen in most computer malls, are in the later 3 catagories.

[traveller5000]

Some women enjoy the idea of seducing the forbidden men. They know what they are doing, but take away the robes and they will (most likely) suddenly lose interest.

Not that i'm saying it is all the womans fault, sometimes it is, sometimes it is the monks fault, sometimes it's both.

Edited March 5, 2008 by traveller5000

[sriracha john]

this seems to be getting bigger...

Revered Monk confers with ICT on Hi5 incident

Revered Monk His Divine Grace Wutichai Wachiramatee commented on the recent public outcries against Buddhist monks in the Kingdom that have been discovered spending time on popular teenage social website Hi 5.

Many members of the public have viewed the activity as inappropriate as some of the religious men were caught fraternizing with teenage girls through the online network.

His Divine Grace Wutichai Wachiramatee suggested that monks may have their internet use regulated to only religious activity, requiring them to declare the purpose for visiting any website. He stated that the regulations would not restrict them from accessing websites such as Hi 5, but would make sure that their usage was of a religious nature and not inappropriate.

The revered member of the Buddhist clergy also conferred with the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology saying that ministry should contact the organization that governs all clergy affairs to deal with the issue head on. He expressed his support a code of conduct to be drafted for the use of internet by monks.

- ThaiNews

[londonthai]

So I feel the ones who use mobile phones, smoke, use taxis, surf the internet and can be seen in most computer malls, are in the later 3 catagories.

it's interesteing to know why do you think that monks can't use mobiles, smoke, travel by taxi, use internet and go to the computer malls?

[Austhaied]

So I feel the ones who use mobile phones, smoke, use taxis, surf the internet and can be seen in most computer malls, are in the later 3 catagories.

it's interesteing to know why do you think that monks can't use mobiles, smoke, travel by taxi, use internet and go to the computer malls?

Agreed. I can't find them in the Buddhist Sanghas rules (The Vinaya)..

Can you ??

http://www.dhammadana.org/en/samgha/vinaya/227.htm

[Thai at Heart]

So I feel the ones who use mobile phones, smoke, use taxis, surf the internet and can be seen in most computer malls, are in the later 3 catagories.

it's interesteing to know why do you think that monks can't use mobiles, smoke, travel by taxi, use internet and go to the computer malls?

Agreed. I can't find them in the Buddhist Sanghas rules (The Vinaya)..

Can you ??

http://www.dhammadana.org/en/samgha/vinaya/227.htm

Is this not the most impractical idea anyone has ever heard?

[sriracha john]

Monks' Internet Activities to Be Closely Monitored

The Nakhon Ratchasima dean monk urges all abbots in the province to strictly regulate clergy member's Internet activities at temples.

Meanwhile, an Internet swindler in saffron clothing in Khonkaen is to be defrocked.

A 32-year-old mother residing in Chaiyaphum's Pukhiew District informed the Region 4 Police team that her 15-year-old daughter went missing from home yesterday and was found to be staying at a monk's house at Thalieb Temple in Khonkaen's Muang District.

The 15-year-old was found to have had contact via the Internet with a monk at the temple, identified as Phra Supanno, who used the Hi-5 program to contact female teens. The notorious monk denied any participation in sexual harassment with the girl.

Today, the Tambon Bueng-nium monk dean overseeing the Thaliab Temple monastery, Phra Kru Sirisarnwutthikhun, suggested that the monk receive a penalty for breaching monk discipline and that he be defrocked as soon as possible.

The monk continues to hide from the public, but local residents who acknowledge the matter are enraged by the news. They are preparing to dispel Phra Supano from the monastery.

Meanwhile, Nakhon Ratchasima provincial dean monk Phra Dham Worranayok says the monk's behavior, using the Internet to lure females, has tarnished the image of monks. The dean monk urges all abbots of temples in the 32 districts in the province to strictly monitor monks' activities on the Internet.

The dean monk says Buddhist monks are to maintain delicate discipline of clergy-hood and act as role models for laymen.

- Thailand Outlook

[Robski]

Is this not the most impractical idea anyone has ever heard?

Stick around, no doubt there will be another one along soon.

Thailand, the hub of impractical ideas!

[plachon]

I've lost count of the number of times I've seen novices and monks in the Net cafes of Isaan, playing the ultra-violent on-line computer games, like Rak Narok (Love hel_l?) and others along with the other young males of a similar age.

It didn't surprise me as much as the monk I once taught English at a Buddhist University campus in Kalasin who told me about his predilection for soccer gambling and was proud to tell me about his winnings of 400,000 THB on the English Premier League. No doubt he donated it all to the temple!

[simon43]

I would have thought that smoking falls into the category of an intoxicating substance, and therefore is forbidden for ordained monks (and non-ordained novices).

Simon

[dominator]

So I feel the ones who use mobile phones, smoke, use taxis, surf the internet and can be seen in most computer malls, are in the later 3 catagories.

it's interesteing to know why do you think that monks can't use mobiles, smoke, travel by taxi, use internet and go to the computer malls?

I fail to see where Eric1949 says he thinks monks cannot use mobiles, smokes etc.

Obviously English is not your 1st language.

[dominator]

So I feel the ones who use mobile phones, smoke, use taxis, surf the internet and can be seen in most computer malls, are in the later 3 catagories.

it's interesteing to know why do you think that monks can't use mobiles, smoke, travel by taxi, use internet and go to the computer malls?

Agreed. I can't find them in the Buddhist Sanghas rules (The Vinaya)..

Can you ??

http://www.dhammadana.org/en/samgha/vinaya/227.htm

Is this not the most impractical idea anyone has ever heard?

Impractical idea? Where is there an idea?

Incidently, if monks can afford mobiles, smokes, taxis etc, why do they ply the streets begging for food in the morning?

[sriracha john]

uhmmm... monks don't "beg for food"....

[dominator]

uhmmm... monks don't "beg for food"....

Sorry, but I call a monk walking the streets with a food bowl, begging.

[sriracha john]

uhmmm... monks don't "beg for food"....

Sorry, but I call a monk walking the streets with a food bowl, begging.

The red text sounds like it would make for a great new thread title in the Buddhism Forum.

I encourage you to do so.

Edited March 6, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

More troubles for Hi5...

ICT asks teen social website to deter promiscuity

Government Auditor of the Ministry of Information Technology and Communication (ICT) Thaneerat Srirpachana stated that the recent discovery of sexual promiscuity amongst young users of popular teen social website “Hi 5” has prompted the ministry to submit a request to executives running the site in the United States to cooperate in the deterring of such behavior.

The ICT is confident the website’s operators will be compliant as in the previous case involving Buddhist monks acting inappropriately through the site, the executives were responsive and accommodating.

As for whether or not legal action would be taken against the service, the ICT is considering the long term effects of such a decision as well as the legal implications. The ministry would first try to decipher if such a move would help to stem the problem in the long run as well as alternatives to such a move.

- ThaiNews (today)

[onethailand]

The ICT is so full of crap.

Hi5 management obviously don't read Thai. This means the ICT must provide information on each Hi5 page they find objectionable to Hi5 - and then Hi5 must get someone to determine how legitimate the request is.

[kmart]

Between the ICT Ministry and the Ministry of Big Haired Pooyings, this place will be lucky if there is much of any Internet remaining here in a few years.

[technocracy]

Unfortunately the inherent problems with ICT departments is in general they don't know there arse from their elbows. Most of the staff employed are recruited directly from University with a new degree but absolutely sod all real world experience. Unfortunately this problem is also rife throughout most of the IT industry. I've come across some many witless IT graduates who don't have the foggiest it's unbelieveable! Unfortunately with the general Plug & Play technology these days most don't actually understand the inner workings to solve problems etc.

These witless cretins however write the longest boring papers/thesis and somehow on the basis of this become an 'industry expert' - but the paper/thesis doesn't actually contain anything other than reiterate what most people know already. You'll see them often interviewed on Reuters or one of the plethera of low grade news channels pretending they actually know what they are talking about - however they in truth are clueless.

This problem isn't just Thailand most Western countries have to put up with these bunch of jumped up cretins also. This Hi5 thing is on the back of the YouTube ban since just because they realised they can filter sites on their equipment they think it's solves the root cause of the problem so will just indiscriminately use it even though it's easy to get around.