we cannot release the names of any people on the flight manifests,” one officer said.

So he's there then.

How? Has anyone heard of "a picture speaks a thousand words" ?

My wife's son was shunted off to a wat in Nakhon Sawan since he was in need of discipline and needed to improve his reading and writing skills. On the third day he phoned home and said he had attended a funeral. Presumably he formed part of the Buddha's Glee Club at the event. He said that he had been paid 300 baht for his services. So, in just three day he had money in his pocket and owned a mobile phone. I offered to buy him an Uzi so that he could retire when he was 25.

Supporters of Controversial Monk Defend His Luxurious Lifestyle

Photo: KHAOSOD English

BANGKOK: -- Spiritual followers of a controversial monk defend his lavish lifestyle which hit headlines around the world, even as torrents of public criticism continue to mount against him.

Luang Puu (Elder/Grandfather Monk) Nen Kam Chattigo, whose temple is based in Sisaket province, was seen on various images and videos riding a camel in his trip to Egypt, showing off a Mercedes Benz, smiling from his seat in a helicopter, and relaxing with an iPhone and Luis Vuitton bag on his private jet plane.

But the image which seems to touch off the nerve of the public the most is the one that appears to show Luang Nen Kam sleeping next to a girl. Both were presumed to be naked. The Office of National Buddhism has previously called for investigation into the matters, calling his actions damaging to the faith of Buddhists, since Buddhist monks were supposed to lead a humble life.

Although his title suggests that he is an aged monk, Luang Nen Kam is believed to be in his late 30s. His followers said that the title of Luang Pu denotes the years he had lived in his previous lives.

The monk himself has not spoken to the public since the issue surfaced. His temple staff said he′s currently on a trip in Europe and will be back in Thailand "soon". It is not clear which country he is traveling at the moment.

In the meantime, his spiritual supporters - which are believe to be numerous and include many influential businessmen and bureaucrats - are rallying behind him. Yesterday (20 June) a group of such supporters, led by Mr. Pattaradech Sopanpanich, hosted a press conference in Nonthaburi province to tell their side of the story. The conference was attended by more than 100 followers of Luang Pu Nen Kam.

Mr. Pattaradech said that the media attack on Luang Pu is "unfair", saying that he did not own or buy any such luxury. The helicopter and jet plane rides, he said, were paid for by the monk′s followers who want to offer convenient and fast means of travel for Luang Pu. As for Luis Vuitton bag, Mr. Pattaradech said they were all donated to him by the templegoers.

Full story: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNM01UZ3hOek13TlE9PQ==

-- KHAOSOD English 2013-06-22

Uhhhhhh why is there a monk logo on the door of the helicopter ???

Is that his own helicopter ? Was it photoshopped on ? Is that a temporary

sticker the helicopter company puts on when they fly a VIP ??

"He will hold a press conference and I will be there to listen,"

More glitz and glamour for the 'holy' man.

Third world!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am buddist, but i would never give money to any temple. Because of so meny munks doing wrong.

In a country with so meny poor poeple, i dont undestand why people spend money on temple insted of buying some meals for some of the poor sleeping on the street. I have a much better feeling inside after comming back from a poor school in vietnam or cambodia, where i bring shues and Football and spend a hole day Playing with the kids going around talking with the poor people, than giving money to a temple. I did giv money to a temple before, but it gave me a funny and not good feeling, so that was the first and last time.

Spending time with people who cant give u anything back but a smile of happyness is amazinging and gives a warm and good feeling inside.

I have , on several occasions , seen monks flying first class on Thai Airways .

i dont undestand why people spend money on temple insted of buying some meals for some of the poor sleeping on the street.

Thailand="For show".

Give to temple=More merit/face

Give to beggar on street=Less merit/face

Supporters of Controversial Monk Defend His Luxurious Lifestyle

Photo: KHAOSOD English

BANGKOK: -- Spiritual followers of a controversial monk defend his lavish lifestyle which hit headlines around the world, even as torrents of public criticism continue to mount against him.

Luang Puu (Elder/Grandfather Monk) Nen Kam Chattigo, whose temple is based in Sisaket province, was seen on various images and videos riding a camel in his trip to Egypt, showing off a Mercedes Benz, smiling from his seat in a helicopter, and relaxing with an iPhone and Luis Vuitton bag on his private jet plane.

But the image which seems to touch off the nerve of the public the most is the one that appears to show Luang Nen Kam sleeping next to a girl. Both were presumed to be naked. The Office of National Buddhism has previously called for investigation into the matters, calling his actions damaging to the faith of Buddhists, since Buddhist monks were supposed to lead a humble life.

Although his title suggests that he is an aged monk, Luang Nen Kam is believed to be in his late 30s. His followers said that the title of Luang Pu denotes the years he had lived in his previous lives.

The monk himself has not spoken to the public since the issue surfaced. His temple staff said he′s currently on a trip in Europe and will be back in Thailand "soon". It is not clear which country he is traveling at the moment.

In the meantime, his spiritual supporters - which are believe to be numerous and include many influential businessmen and bureaucrats - are rallying behind him. Yesterday (20 June) a group of such supporters, led by Mr. Pattaradech Sopanpanich, hosted a press conference in Nonthaburi province to tell their side of the story. The conference was attended by more than 100 followers of Luang Pu Nen Kam.

Mr. Pattaradech said that the media attack on Luang Pu is "unfair", saying that he did not own or buy any such luxury. The helicopter and jet plane rides, he said, were paid for by the monk′s followers who want to offer convenient and fast means of travel for Luang Pu. As for Luis Vuitton bag, Mr. Pattaradech said they were all donated to him by the templegoers.

Full story: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNM01UZ3hOek13TlE9PQ==

-- KHAOSOD English 2013-06-22

"As for Luis Vuitton bag, Mr. Pattaradech said they were all donated to him by the templegoers."

To him or to the temple/Wat?

we cannot release the names of any people on the flight manifests,” one officer said.

So he's there then.

Standard worldwide, though - flight manifests are not open to the public

Is he in the UK by any chance I wonder? I'm sure I saw him walking around urban outfitters in westfields, west London! (not even joking!) I assumed he was a monk from the temple in Wimbledon but now I look at the pictures on here.....swear it could have been him! I even thought to myself....what on earth could

he find in this shop? Enlightenment?!

swear it could have been him!

All monks look the same.

come under scrutiny,,hes a monk whats he got to worry about if hes doing what hes meant to be doing,,(OR IS HE),,,,,mmmmmmm,,wheres the picture of this woman new to me,,

Do your home work, the picture is out there for everyone to see...

You can do anything you want in this one life we have. Just don't get caught doing it if you don't wish to explain why the F...... your doing it!

This bloke though apparently, has had many lives so he should be use to it by now....

Third world!!!!!!!!!!!!

Microwave!

Do not believe this is first time this sort of thing has happened! Maybe not with all this advertising, but I wonder why at times we see Monks out late in the evening?

My wife's son was shunted off to a wat in Nakhon Sawan since he was in need of discipline and needed to improve his reading and writing skills. On the third day he phoned home and said he had attended a funeral. Presumably he formed part of the Buddha's Glee Club at the event. He said that he had been paid 300 baht for his services. So, in just three day he had money in his pocket and owned a mobile phone. I offered to buy him an Uzi so that he could retire when he was 25.

All religion, if investigated sufficiently, unearths corruption at the head.

Why people in the 21st century believe in daft stuff like gods, buddhas and magic pixies is quite astonishing.

I have , on several occasions , seen monks flying first class on Thai Airways .

Thai Airways was and quite probably still is, an airline where a huge number of premium cabin space is given away to friends and associates including the orange robed.

What happened to the good old days when holy men used flying carpets to get around.

All killed by Al Qaeda bombers in Iraq. Heck, even Shia Ali Baba is now being chased by his 40 Sunni thieves.

Religion and money go hand in hand since the first conman met the first fool .

The head of my local temple here in Dallas has been a monk since age 12. When I mentioned this story to him, he smiled, said he was aware of the story, and said that he had just got back from a Buddhist meeting in Raleigh NC traveling both ways by car. That's 18 hours each way. He's 62 years old, Not all monks are corrupt but too many are.

what if some follower would have gave him a first class plane ticket for the trip?

The head of my local temple here in Dallas has been a monk since age 12. When I mentioned this story to him, he smiled, said he was aware of the story, and said that he had just got back from a Buddhist meeting in Raleigh NC traveling both ways by car. That's 18 hours each way. He's 62 years old, Not all monks are corrupt but too many are.

Well, not all in the USA anyway...

What's astonishing is that anyone, Thai or foreign, would not suspect, by default, that these "religious leaders" are anything but corrupt. We are in Thailand, after all.

Ah yes, prejudice - saves the bother of having to think I suppose.

Hes living the high life !

Too many clowns,
too few circuses

In contrast...this is WAY BETTER than finding out another kid was molested by a Priest.

You must have missed this one

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/648182-monks-arrested-on-charges-of-procuring-a-young-boy/

Monks arrested on charges of procuring a young boy

Wish they would devote as much time to the car scandal, the rice scandal and the list goes on and on......

He hasn't a temple but has a number of followers. The word charlatan comes to mind.

Wonder what sort of followers he has?

When I bought a tab in Pantip Plaza, three monks were getting iPads.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app