Rule-Breaking Monk fined 800 Baht by Pattaya Police



PATTAYA: -- There was drama at the foot of the Pattaya Viewpoint in South Pattaya on Wednesday as Police struggled to deal with a rogue Monk who was caught driving which is not permitted under rules and regulations pertaining to the conduct of Monks.

Complaints were received by Police regarding the 52 year old Monk who was seen to be driving a minivan and was reportedly accepting cash donations, which is also not permitted.

Police encountered the monk in his minivan in front of the Pratamnuk Hill Police Box, but he refused to leave the vehicle or speak with Police. He did however, produce papers to confirm he was a real monk.

After more than 1 hour the monk refused to exit the vehicle so it was decided the minivan would be towed away with the Monk still in the driver’s seat.

Full story: http://pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/201345/rule-breaking-monk-fined-800-baht-by-pattaya-police/


-- Pattaya One 2015-06-25

I was under the impression that monks were not allowed to handle money. So how was the monk able to pay the fine?

Must be thirsty work collecting donations,slap on the wrist fine,

back at it tomorrow.

regards Worgeordie

They are however allowed to smoke, hangout in electronics malls buying the latest gadgets and make tons of cash on magic amulets.

I would have thought that the police can only fine if a LAW is broken. Surely monk rules are a matter for the head monk, not the police.

I would have thought that the police can only fine if a LAW is broken. Surely monk rules are a matter for the head monk, not the police.

"....At Pattaya Police Station the Monk eventually came out from the van and went into the Police Station where it was decided to fine him 800 Baht. 400 Baht was for no driving license and the other 400 Baht was for no car tax sticker being displayed on the vehicle."

There isnt actually a rule against driving in the Vinaya (monks code of conduct) but it is actively discouraged for a number of reasons (including the one here of monk driving without tax or licence which are illegal acts) as it can bring the sangha into (more) disrepute

After more than 1 hour the monk refused to exit the vehicle so it was decided the minivan would be towed away with the Monk still in the driver’s seat.

It's like something from Monty Python!

I was under the impression that monks were not allowed to handle money. So how was the monk able to pay the fine?

They aren't suppose to handle money, I have seen the more conservative monks use a lay person to go along with them and handle the money to make their purchases. If this fellow was driving a vehicle I doubt he used that approach.

I am a little confused about the part which says that they cannot accept cash donations.

Troll post removed

As time goes by, the less respect I have for monks.

What was the reason for the monks refusal to get out of the car? Defiance, or did he have something to hide?

To many bad monk stories in Thai papers. The monks think they are above the law of man. And do not obey the law of Buddha! I wonder if they did a drug or alcohol test on him because he looks a little lost in space!

i dont have respect for many monks ( and especially when i seen that video of a monk slapping a farang on the train ) same as i do not have respect for many priests ( many of whom are peadophiles) at the end of the day they are only human .

Thee teachings of many beliefs are often corrupted by mortal organizations.

Since when are the BIB enforcers of Vinaya? Drive him to his superiors and let them deal with it.

Anyway, if monks can go to Future World and buy the latest iPad/iPhone/Macs with bill-folds full of ฿฿฿฿฿, a driving monk is not much of a scene really. Well, not until that need to drive BMWs and Mercs.

They are however allowed to smoke, hangout in electronics malls buying the latest gadgets and make tons of cash on magic amulets.

Yes, I saw one in Pantip Plaza Thumbing though the catalogues of porno CDs before using a ATM, may be it was not a cash withdrawal and his viewing of the CDs was research...

Since when are the BIB enforcers of Vinaya? Drive him to his superiors and let them deal with it.

Anyway, if monks can go to Future World and buy the latest iPad/iPhone/Macs with bill-folds full of ฿฿฿฿฿, a driving monk is not much of a scene really. Well, not until that need to drive BMWs and Mercs.

They were enforcing traffic law...

As already answered in post #6

I'm sure at some point the senior monks will remind them about karma

''After more than 1 hour the monk refused to exit the vehicle so it was decided the minivan would be towed away with the Monk still in the driver’s seat.''

You couldn't make this stuff up

a monk is a good start, but what I really want to see is news about police fining other police for rule breaking, such as no helmet, illegal left turn, driving in the wrong lane, etc.

As Chuck Berry said......a case of........"Too much Monkee Business"

They are however allowed to smoke, hangout in electronics malls buying the latest gadgets and make tons of cash on magic amulets.

Don't forget the Mercedes and Private Jets.

Remembering Derek Nimmo in all gas and gaiters, and Oh Brother... (60's & 70's BBC TV)

Surly can not Thai TV come with with a really entertaining satirical sitcom basses on monks behaving badly at a fictitious Wat...

Remembering Derek Nimmo in all gas and gaiters, and Oh Brother... (60's & 70's BBC TV)

Surly can not Thai TV come with with a really entertaining satirical sitcom basses on monks behaving badly at a fictitious Wat...

I miss Father Ted, Dermot Morgan and Ardal O'Hanlon were just so funny. "Ted: I'm not a fascist. I'm a priest. Fascists dress up in black and tell people what to do. Whereas priests...

...More drink?"