Parents urged to bring their children to the temples and not department stores

The Social Development and Human Security Ministry suggests parents bring their children to the temples rather than department stores and amusement parks to help mold youngsters into decent citizens.

Permanent-Secretary Wanlop Ploythapthim (วัลลภ พลอยทับทิม) said Thai children now have little interest in religious studies and practices as families rarely take them to the temples.

Mr. Wanlop said a lot of minors like to hang out at department stores and entertainment venues or are addicted to the Internet and computer games whose influence can make them aggressive.

These youngsters may even become materialists if families and schools do not help promote their ethics and morality, he said.

Mr. Wanlop urged parents to bring their children closer to dharma to make them see spiritual values in life and stop acting aggressively.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 July 2006

Is this from the same government which preaches consumerism, lends money (indirectly) and whose Prime Minister admits that corruption is not so bad?

Parents urged to bring their children to the temples and not department stores

The Social Development and Human Security Ministry suggests parents bring their children to the temples rather than department stores and amusement parks to help mold youngsters into decent citizens.

Permanent-Secretary Wanlop Ploythapthim (วัลลภ พลอยทับทิม) said Thai children now have little interest in religious studies and practices as families rarely take them to the temples.

Mr. Wanlop said a lot of minors like to hang out at department stores and entertainment venues or are addicted to the Internet and computer games whose influence can make them aggressive.

These youngsters may even become materialists if families and schools do not help promote their ethics and morality, he said.

Mr. Wanlop urged parents to bring their children closer to dharma to make them see spiritual values in life and stop acting aggressively.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 July 2006

Yep, that's right Khun Wanlop, throw the kids in the Benz and whip 'em off to see Buddha at the temple.

How does he expect that to happen when his government preaches materialism as a religion. Why worship Buddha at the local Wat when you can worship at Wat Siam Paragon or Wat Emporium and have KFC or McDonalds on the spot? And when you've finished in the chapel of Big Mac, go to the shrine of Luis Vuitton or Prada and pray you've got your Visa card.

As for promoting ethics and morality? Well he's a politician isn't he? What else could he say?

I think that is a fantastic idea. OK, so everyone can see that it aint gonna happen because we live in a consumers world (it's not just Thailand in case you hadnt noticed), but If that statement encourages one person to take their kids to the temple instead of the mall then it was worth saying.

Why does everyone have to be so quick to slate another persons effort to do something good???

Does anybody NOT agree that it would be a better thing for kids to hang out at temples instead of malls?

(I rite these replys quickly an I dont word check em cause they don't rate highly enuff on my list of importance. I dont kneed a 100m peeple tellin me 'ow bad my english isn't! :-)

Yep, that's right Khun Wanlop, throw the kids in the Benz and whip 'em off to see Buddha at the temple.

How does he expect that to happen when his government preaches materialism as a religion. Why worship Buddha at the local Wat when you can worship at Wat Siam Paragon or Wat Emporium and have KFC or McDonalds on the spot? And when you've finished in the chapel of Big Mac, go to the shrine of Luis Vuitton or Prada and pray you've got your Visa card.

As for promoting ethics and morality? Well he's a politician isn't he? What else could he say?

I think this should be sent to the "Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department" to be published as a response to their article !