Buddhist monks upset by Beckham's mozzie measures

7th February 2009, 11:45 WST

David and Victoria Beckham have upset Buddhist monks in Thailand.

The monks are upset about a state-of-the-art mosquito exterminator installed at the couple’s recently renovated new home on the Thai island of Koh Samui.

The religious men – who believe all animals, no matter how small, are equal – have reportedly suggested the former Spice Girl and her soccer star husband find a non-harmful solution to the blood-sucking insects

A source told Britain’s Daily Star newspaper: “The Beckhams were very keen to keep the mosquitoes out because they can carry disease, as well as being annoying.

“But the last thing they want to do is annoy the locals, especially the monks who’ve been here hundreds of years, so they’ve got a real dilemma now.”

The Beckhams bought their three-storey hillside home on the island in 2007 for 4.5 million Euros ($A 8.6m), but the full cost of the home after renovations is believed to be closer to 10 million Euros ($A 19.2m).

The house is also partly environmentally friendly, utilising solar panels to create some of its electricity. It also boasts 360-degree views of the popular holiday island.

Former England soccer team manager Sven Goran Eriksson also has a home on the tropical island.

BANG Showbiz

Sabaijai,

Theres already another thread running with this in it.

What a bunch of crap. Monks "upset." Monks "angry." Says who? They "reportedly suggested..." According to who? Not a single source cited. If it's not completely fictional, it was probably some reporter who went and asked a monk what he thought about the mosquito-killing devices and built it up into a celebrity story.

Sabaijai,

Theres already another thread running with this in it.

Thanks for letting me know. You're right, one was posted in the Samui forum a few hours before I posted it here. And Camerata may be right, could very well be a reporter's flight of fancy on a slow news day. Still it raises an interesting ethical issue for some Buddhists.

I'd hardly call it an ethical issue...or any kind of issue.

If someone decides to break a precept... even if they are unaware... then they can expect to pay the price.

Why have we all been trapped in the cycle of rebirth since beginningless time....ignorance of the truth.

If it was some non-celebrity involved there'd be no story. Still, after all the bad stories about Buddhist monks (the most recent about an abbot who was selling himself as a ladyboy at nights), it's nice to know there are some who are worried enough about the mozzie zappers to protest.