Ok....quick 'voyeur' shot, with a mobile phone, taken JUST at the right angle?

In a normal shoe shop, we see ladies shoes...and behind, out of shot, is probably the men's section...where these monks MAY have been waiting to try on sandals? (YES...they are allowed to wear shoes!)

Or, possibly...monks have families....which presumably include sisters, mothers, etc...who DO go shopping? Waiting for them?

Come on guys, let's give these guys the benefit of the doubt - they give up a hell of a lot to live the way they do, and the last thing they need is ignorant and sarcastic Farangs jumping to stupid conclusions!

Did you know that the monks are allowed to keep any money given to them by way of placed in alms bowl or in an envelope for a blessing or attending a funeral. i was very surprised when I found this out, thinking it went to the Watt but no. I know this as my wife's son was a novice for 3 years and he made a lot of money, no joke and I had a Farang friend who don the robs and he was just as surprised when he was told anything given to him is his. Better than going to work

there does appear to be 4 monks in the photo all shopping for ladies shoes? it certainly looks that way unless they are buying shoes for the need i know they have a few queeries in the ranks maybe some of them have lost their way.

there does appear to be 4 monks in the photo all shopping for ladies shoes? it certainly looks that way unless they are buying shoes for the need i know they have a few queeries in the ranks maybe some of them have lost their way.

Reading the responses here sickens me. I am transgendered and I also had my "procedure" done in Phuket. Transgenderism from the most mundane to full-blown is not an illness! It is part of life. I would suppose that some monks may well be transgendered and they deserve better treatment than what has been given here so far. You all should be ashamed of yourselves!

We have Ladyboys now we have Ladymonks what's the big deal !!!

Ok....quick 'voyeur' shot, with a mobile phone, taken JUST at the right angle?

In a normal shoe shop, we see ladies shoes...and behind, out of shot, is probably the men's section...where these monks MAY have been waiting to try on sandals? (YES...they are allowed to wear shoes!)

Or, possibly...monks have families....which presumably include sisters, mothers, etc...who DO go shopping? Waiting for them?

Come on guys, let's give these guys the benefit of the doubt - they give up a hell of a lot to live the way they do, and the last thing they need is ignorant and sarcastic Farangs jumping to stupid conclusions!

Did you know that the monks are allowed to keep any money given to them by way of placed in alms bowl or in an envelope for a blessing or attending a funeral. i was very surprised when I found this out, thinking it went to the Watt but no. I know this as my wife's son was a novice for 3 years and he made a lot of money, no joke and I had a Farang friend who don the robs and he was just as surprised when he was told anything given to him is his. Better than going to work

In many ways monk-hood is a business for profit.

Maybe they are shopping shoes for their look the dolls

Shopping for ladies shoes with an iPhone in his hand.

This sums up Buddhism in Thailand

There are Thai monks that are millionaires, Just becasue he is a monk does not mean he does not have any money.

Two years ago I was staying in a rural resort which was frequented by Thais especially at the weekends. The rooms were built on the side of a hill and all on different levels leading down to a lake where there were two houseboats, steps all over place led to the various rooms and levels.

One midweek morning as I was finishing breakfast, I saw three pickups arrive containing six monks and three male helpers who carried the luggage down to one of the large boathouses. One of the pickups left and shortly returned with cases of beer, a lot of beer, which was also taken to the boathouse which was three levels below our room.

That evening we heard giggling and we looked out from our room, I saw the monks helpers escorting six girls (all in their mid twenties) to the boathouse.

All night we heard faint music and laughter emanating from the boathouse.

The next morning, whilst we were having breakfast, we saw the six girls come up the many steps and being driven away in the back of a pickup.

I mentioned this to an American friend who lived in the area and he said this was a regular occurrence.

Two years ago I was staying in a rural resort which was frequented by Thais especially at the weekends. The rooms were built on the side of a hill and all on different levels leading down to a lake where there were two houseboats, steps all over place led to the various rooms and levels.

One midweek morning as I was finishing breakfast, I saw three pickups arrive containing six monks and three male helpers who carried the luggage down to one of the large boathouses. One of the pickups left and shortly returned with cases of beer, a lot of beer, which was also taken to the boathouse which was three levels below our room.

That evening we heard giggling and we looked out from our room, I saw the monks helpers escorting six girls (all in their mid twenties) to the boathouse.

All night we heard faint music and laughter emanating from the boathouse.

The next morning, whilst we were having breakfast, we saw the six girls come up the many steps and being driven away in the back of a pickup.

I mentioned this to an American friend who lived in the area and he said this was a regular occurrence.

They may have been part time monks , just doing contrition for the bad things they have done in there lives. Some people go be monks for a short while. most are Ex criminals

LMAO.... Maybe they wish to empathize with their female flock members, because it brings to mind the old saying about not being able to judge until you walk a mile in my shoes ..... Well actually not my shoes literally... Stilettos kick the £u[ out of my ankles... ???

Am I looking at the same photo as everyone else. The monk is clearly just trying on a sandal, so what is the problem. The other poster commenting on the Iphone. how can you tell it is an Iphone? I don't see the logo. It could just be a normal smart phone that only costs a few thousand baht.

Also, How does anyone know they are monks or just a bunch of temporary novices in for a month?

Yeah, but if you follow your logic, there is nothing to complain about--that just won't do with most TV posters.

there does appear to be 4 monks in the photo all shopping for ladies shoes? it certainly looks that way unless they are buying shoes for the need i know they have a few queeries in the ranks maybe some of them have lost their way.

This is two photos each with two monks and not four monks.

When you zoom in on the right hand of the monk on the right in the photo on the right - his hand is on a black high heeled woman's shoe.

Why doa bunch of farangs care what a couple of Thai monks buy, right or wrong let the Thais take care of their own.

Why doa bunch of farangs care what a couple of Thai monks buy, right or wrong let the Thais take care of their own.

A wee laugh at the end of the day is good for the soul... And anyway, by your reckoning, only Brits should comment on articles on Brits, and yanks on yank articles... Etc etc... Where's the fun in that?

Ok....quick 'voyeur' shot, with a mobile phone, taken JUST at the right angle?

In a normal shoe shop, we see ladies shoes...and behind, out of shot, is probably the men's section...where these monks MAY have been waiting to try on sandals? (YES...they are allowed to wear shoes!)

Or, possibly...monks have families....which presumably include sisters, mothers, etc...who DO go shopping? Waiting for them?

Come on guys, let's give these guys the benefit of the doubt - they give up a hell of a lot to live the way they do, and the last thing they need is ignorant and sarcastic Farangs jumping to stupid conclusions!

I agree... I was a monk in Lopburi for 7 years, and I always bought my Mom a birthday present. Usually a t-shirt or a unusual purse. So, I am giving these monks some benefit of the doubt.

They may have been part time monks , just doing contrition for the bad things they have done in there lives. Some people go be monks for a short while. most are Ex criminals

AND????

Goes to prove monk hood is pile of balls, crook sthe lot of them!

Remind me that I have spent a fortune on women's shoes and handbags so over 20 years.
These shops are pure evil for a mans purse.

Ok....quick 'voyeur' shot, with a mobile phone, taken JUST at the right angle?

In a normal shoe shop, we see ladies shoes...and behind, out of shot, is probably the men's section...where these monks MAY have been waiting to try on sandals? (YES...they are allowed to wear shoes!)

Or, possibly...monks have families....which presumably include sisters, mothers, etc...who DO go shopping? Waiting for them?

Come on guys, let's give these guys the benefit of the doubt - they give up a hell of a lot to live the way they do, and the last thing they need is ignorant and sarcastic Farangs jumping to stupid conclusions!

Yes, lets give them the benefit of the doubt, but then again nobody asked them to be a monk, but then again Thai mothers are jumping at the bit for their son(s) to be a monk and ultimately become enlightened. Of course for the past centuries that has not happen because becoming enlightened is hard work.

Lets be realistic individuals inclined to get into this way of live (that covers all religions) are too lazy to do a days work for a pay cheque. It is a lot easier just to have your palm greased.

Why doa bunch of farangs care what a couple of Thai monks buy, right or wrong let the Thais take care of their own.

It's a bit of comic relief. Welcome to Toontown

"Thai media reports that senior monks from the National Office of Buddhism in Thailand have said they will launch an investigation into the behaviour of the monks in the photos.

If the monks are found to have behaved inappropriately........."

That's a big IF. If these monks are judged by the standards set by "senior monks" in the Saffron Mafia hierarchy, then there is probably nothing to worry about, is there?

Buddhism is a series of teachings of which basically

nobody in Thailand actually follows. If you want a laugh,

and you have been in Thailand for a while, look up

the five precepts of Buddhism, and see how closely

they are followed. And photos of a monk

shopping for women's shoes while clutching an Iphone

is simply another example of that.........

They are welcome to buy Apple products as well.

Reading the responses here sickens me. I am transgendered and I also had my "procedure" done in Phuket. Transgenderism from the most mundane to full-blown is not an illness! It is part of life. I would suppose that some monks may well be transgendered and they deserve better treatment than what has been given here so far. You all should be ashamed of yourselves!

Though in normal situations, I would be supportive of your statements, but clearly you don't even know the basic 5 precepts of Buddhism. For monks sexuality and gender identity shouldn't exist. They need to devoid themselves of this reflection of self. So no monks cannot be transgendered and still be monks.

Walking meditation in style.

Why doa bunch of farangs care what a couple of Thai monks buy, right or wrong let the Thais take care of their own.

It's a bit of comic relief. Welcome to Toontown

It's self-righteous judgment.

They don't like their own lives so like to try to bring down monks.

They don't realize that many monks are nly in for a few days if their relative dies, before they get married etc. Most Thai monks are good people unlike the mostly whoremongering farang that I see.

They probably were just shopping for their sister or auntie or mother and just happen to have a similar shoe size.

mother's birthday.

you guys have obviously not heard of the 'Walking in Ladies Shoes Meditation'