PCAD monk activist accused of insurrection

[webfact]

PCAD Monk Activist Accused Of Insurrection
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- A Buddhist group has filed legal complaint against a prominent anti-government leader who is also a Buddhist monk.

Mr. Chaithanapol Srichiwangsa and Mr. Sathien Vipromma, representatives of ′Buddhist Association′, met with Pol.Col. Prasopchoke Prommul today to file their complaint against Luang Phu Buddha Issara, a core leader of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD).

Luang Phu Buddha Issara has been a de facto leader of PCAD supporters at the rally site near Government Complex on Chaeng Wattana Road, and he has led numerous demonstrations wearing monk outfit.

These activities, Mr. Chaithanapol and Mr. Sathien argued, amount to acts of insurrection criminalised under Section 113 of the Thai Criminal Codes and a clear violation of Sangha Acts, which forbid monks from associating themselves with politics.

The pair also accused Luang Bhu Buddha Issara of insulting the newly-installed acting Supreme Patriarch, and of disrespecting the Sangha hierarchy.

"Luang Phu Buddha Issara has joined the rally with PCAD and has acted as one of their leaders," Mr. Chaithanapol told police, "He led the mass to shutdown many state agencies around Chaeng Wattana Road. He has caused great troubles to the public".

Apart from filing legal charges today, Mr. Chaithanapol said, his group will meet with a prelate in Nakhon Pathom province and urge him to seek disciplinary action against the activist monk.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNU1ESTVPRFl5TXc9PQ==


-- Khaosod English 2014-01-21

[Tatsujin]

Hope they'll also be filing suit against the monks who's pictures are all over the red supporters banners too . . . or does this only go one way?

[JetsetBkk]

Mr. Chaithanapol told police, "He led the mass to shutdown many state agencies around Chaeng Wattana Road. He has caused great troubles to the public".

Why not include Suthep as well?

[moonao]

hell yeah! best news i heard for some time.

there is no place in Buddhism for politics but he used Buddhism for cheap political gain. what an idiot.

Edited January 21, 2014 by moonao

[smutcakes]

Is there any relationship between PRDC leader Somchai Issara and this monk Luang Bhu Buddha Issara?

[Nowhereman60]

If he is a true Buddhist monk I am the Pope.

[seajae]

hahahaha, the red supporters are getting pissed of that the protesters have monks on their side too now, some of the pathetic commenters in here really need to get to know the truth before sprouting their crap. One has to wonder where they actually live or if they are old enough to vote at all with all their childish "wisdom", poor dears.....

Edited January 21, 2014 by seajae

[amecth]

Edited January 21, 2014 by amecth

[diceq]

Same same then.

[Prbkk]

this is the guy who is going to lead the protests in the event that Suthep is arrested...

[newcomer71]

Lol is funny to see how two factions here are almost killing each other by keystrokes...

Guys, have fun, drink a beer and cool down. Lot of monks in Thailand are just jokes, no wonder they shows up to political rallies, or even be leaders of a protesting group.

Let Thais deal with that, without having us being ridiculous for defend a side, where there is nothing to defend.

[moonao]

Keep in mind that the monk in the OP was the leader of a violent, gun toting, gun shooting yellow group that ended up bashing/shooting red supporters.

[Prbkk]

but he had a big fight with dear leader...and threatened to go home

Edited January 21, 2014 by Prbkk

[Nowhereman60]

Standard reply from Suthep boiler room gang. The Reds broke the law so we can also.

[fab4]

In the interests of balance, yes, of course the UDD had monks amongst their supporters. Here is the "evidence"

Edited January 21, 2014 by fab4

[Scamper]

Of course Khaosod have a law of their own - to never publish a story that shows the presence of monks at red shirt events - of which there are many. As we are now in the twenty-first century, and as this is not a theocracy, perhaps we can afford some tolerance for monks who may wish to express a political point of view. Goodness knows they've earned it. Although they could be subject to criticism within the vows of their order, to extend it to the criminal code is really silly. The criminal code has shown to be woefully inadequate in addressing a man in Dubai who dictates a whole administration, so why should it now be considered more important to go after monks instead ? If politicians acted as they should, if the police actually upheld the law - instead of doing whatever they're doing - if the laws were actually enforced, then maybe, just maybe it is nigh time to give monks a break, and afford them the same rights of free expression as everyone else - the same rights that apparently many view as highly naughty indeed. Just yesterday, a school director pressed his students to holds placards in support of the administration. When does it become permissible to punish someone for free expression, but not permissible to punish the imposition of political views on others ?

Edited January 21, 2014 by Scamper

[tx22cb]

this is the guy who is going to lead the protests in the event that Suthep is arrested...

Then he will definitely have to resign from the monkhood.

Otherwise, how would the old ladies be able to hug the new leader, and he would also have difficulties accepting bank notes from female donors.

[Valentine]

Standard reply from Suthep boiler room gang. The Reds broke the law so we can also.

It is a two way street although generally I hear the reds invoking the "they did it before" line more often. Regardless, the monks are citizens, surely have the right to vote & therefore entitled to a political opinion like any other citizen. Also lest we forget the monks in Burma who stood up to totalitarian rule & were gunned down for it.

[moonao]

The Dhammakaya probably have a lot more influence now, since they have close ties with Pak Nam (their founder was originally an Abbot from this famous temple if i remember correctly), and now that the Supreme Patriarch is (was) also an Abbot at Pak Nam temple.

It will be interesting to see how the Supreme Patriarch and Buddhist council handles this but, in any case, there really is only one obvious choice, that is to disrobe him. His behaviour is clearly unacceptable.

Edited January 21, 2014 by moonao

[FangFerang]

All who wear robes are not truly monks; all who speak the truth are not always truthful.

Even a notorious liar sometimes is correct.

Rotate your tires. You are a fluke of the universe. You have no right to be here.

[cdnvic]

Had to remove some inflammatory comments, some of which were lobbying for/against an organization. Neither is allowed here.

[Emptyset]

hell yeah! best news i heard for some time.

there is no place for politics in Buddhism but he used Buddhism for cheap political gain. what an idiot.

Don't be a one sided ass.

The red shirts have monks also on their side.

Wearing monk outfits at rallies?

Yep.

I think the PDRC guy stands out more though because he's actually a leader, not just a protest supporter.

[esprit]

If he is a true Buddhist monk I am the Pope.

Your holyness, perhaps a papal visit would help ? However Many may not wish to kiss your ring.

[rebelplatoon]

hell yeah! best news i heard for some time.

there is no place for politics in Buddhism but he used Buddhism for cheap political gain. what an idiot.

Don't be a one sided ass.

The red shirts have monks also on their side.

But he IS one sided. Just look up his other posts. Interesting the Monk had a significant Thai face but both people filing complaint really look Chinese don't they?! The “Seng Sae Ku” (เส็ง แซ่คู) ooops Shinawatra clan are also Chinese.... Besides that I think monks should not interfere in politics but should be creating awareness in social issues. A bit hard to separate sometimes...

[unanimosity]

hell yeah! best news i heard for some time.

there is no place for politics in Buddhism but he used Buddhism for cheap political gain. what an idiot.

Don't be a one sided ass.

The red shirts have monks also on their side.

On stage espousing overthrow of the government and leading marches or helping people in the wat hide from sniper fire?

Edited January 21, 2014 by unanimosity

[geriatrickid]

hell yeah! best news i heard for some time.

there is no place for politics in Buddhism but he used Buddhism for cheap political gain. what an idiot.

Don't be a one sided ass.

The red shirts have monks also on their side.

Yes monks attended UDD events. There havealso been monks present at several PCAD events. Those monks have attended as a way of promoting peace and do not engage in overt political activities. They have typically been present as a way of keeping order and reminding people to behave. They have been used as "role" models". Can you cite any examples where the monks present at those UDD or PCAD events engaged in irresponsible behaviour? That's the difference between those monks and this chap. It is silly to try and point fingers at other monks as none have been accused of this type of misconduct. This is one monk who is alleged to have put politics ahead of his religious obligations and duties and he should considered within those parameters.

[zydeco]

I'll bet that Diem would have liked to have these guys as monks back in 1963.

[geriatrickid]

But he IS one sided. Just look up his other posts. Interesting the Monk had a significant Thai face but both people filing complaint really look Chinese don't they?! The “Seng Sae Ku” (เส็ง แซ่คู) ooops Shinawatra clan are also Chinese.... Besides that I think monks should not interfere in politics but should be creating awareness in social issues. A bit hard to separate sometimes...

An unfortunate comment. Think about it and your comment about "Chinese".

Edited January 21, 2014 by geriatrickid

[3NUMBAS]

he should have made his pile and got out fast like old monk Nengkham who retired with a large wedge

[bangon04]

this is the guy who is going to lead the protests in the event that Suthep is arrested...

or maybe a better idea, does that mean that Suthep will take a break of 3 months in the monkhood before being arrested?