DSI inspects Luang Phi Namfon’s classic car

[webfact]

DSI inspects Luang Phi Namfon’s classic car

BANGKOK: -- Department of Special Investigation (DSI) yesterday conducted second inspection of a vintage car owned by abbot of Wat Phailom temple in Nakhon Pathom province, Phra Khru Palad Sitthiwattana, widely known as ‘Luang Phi Namfon', but this time was accompanied by car experts in bid to prove that it was not imported through illegal channel to avoid the hefty import tax.

The DSI led experts from Jaguar and Panther companies, as well as officials from the Central Institute of Forensic Science, Department of Land Transportation (DLT), Excise, Customs, and Revenue departments, along with the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) to inspect the black Jaguar engined 1977 Panther classic English automobile, with the licence plate of Kor Kor 1177.

The abbot earlier claimed the classic vehicle was donated to him by a disciple and was an old car.

DSI deputy director-general Pol Maj Suriya Singhakamol said the second inspection of the classic vehicle would be more thorough and all of the parts would be examined in order to gain information to determine the true make and year of the car.

The first inspection was conducted three years ago.

He said DSI has acquired the help of experts to obtain all the information needed.

He assured that every investigation carried out by the DSI, if it did not receive clear cut information on the matter, a more in-depth examination into it to clarify would be necessary, adding that such condition is applied to every single case.

After the inspection, Luang Phi Namfon insisted again that the vehicle was donated.

“I have many cars and they were donated to the temple but most were just old cars, only this particular classic was registered as imported as parts for local assembly,” he said.

He assured that all the cars donated are actually used to draw in Buddhists to the temple to learn more of Lord Buddha’s teachings.

He claimed he used this tactic as marketing approach to attract target groups to the temple.

“I target everyone from teenagers to adults. And classic cars seem to be a good magnet to bring them to the temple,” he said.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/153323


-- Thai PBS 2016-03-03

[ChrisY1]

“I target everyone from teenagers to adults. And classic cars seem to be a good magnet to bring them to the temple,” he said."

A perfectly reasonable excuse.....!!

No doubt all will be forgiven and forgotten very quickly......

[worgeordie]

Using cars,tigers,lottery number picking,and a whole gambit

of other nonsense is a completely wrong message to draw people

to temples.,1977 is not a vintage car,shows how much they actually know.

regards Worgeordie

[BKKdreaming]

its basically a kit car , made from a bunch of parts off of many cars and a "classic" looking body (fiberglass?)

What other "classics" are in his "museum"

[Scouse Twoccer]

its basically a kit car , made from a bunch of parts off of many cars and a "classic" looking body (fiberglass?)

What other "classics" are in his "museum"

You're right, it's certainly not a classic, it's just a '70s car.

But it's certainly not a kit car, Panthers were comparatively very expensive cars aimed at high-end customers, built by an independent manufacturer with a hand-beaten aluminium body and Jaguar engines.

"...made from a bunch of parts off of many cars..."

Nothing wrong with that and it doesn't make those cars kit cars. Lotus did that for many years using Morris, Ford and Rover parts amongst others. Ferrari were know to rummage in other make's parts bins.

[Wilsonandson]

While we were in Chiang Mail, we visited Wat Phra Singh and spotted this classic 1948 Royal Princess Vauxhall. I took several photos and was able to capture this image of a monk walking by.

While researching this classic car, it is apparently used on very special occasion for the monks

http://photosmtnclimbers.blogspot.com/2012/12/y2d45-monks-car.html?m=1

Thailand, Chiang Mai, a Buddhist monk is trying to fix his old car's engine

http://depositphotos.com/11112142/stock-photo-thailand-chiang-mai-a-buddhist.html

[Wilsonandson]

While we were in Chiang Mail, we visited Wat Phra Singh and spotted this classic 1948 Royal Princess Vauxhall. I took several photos and was able to capture this image of a monk walking by.

While researching this classic car, it is apparently used on very special occasion for the monks

http://photosmtnclimbers.blogspot.com/2012/12/y2d45-monks-car.html?m=1

Thailand, Chiang Mai, a Buddhist monk is trying to fix his old car's engine

http://depositphotos.com/11112142/stock-photo-thailand-chiang-mai-a-buddhist.html

[Wilsonandson]

Another link to this temple and it's car in Chiang Mai

- https://www.travelblog.org/Photos/6907613

Wat Phra Singh and the Royal Princess 1948 Vauxhall LIX

This classic car presumably is for the very occasional use of the monks.

[Gunna]

"I have many cars and they were donated to the temple"

Donated to the temple, but then registered in his name ????

In most other organisations this would be theft.

Inappropriate Items Including Money

T.V.'s and videos for entertainment should not be used by a monk. Under certain circumstances, a Dharma video or a documentary programme may be watched. In general, luxurious items are inappropriate for a monk to accept. This is because they are conducive to attachment in his own mind, and excite envy, possibly even the intention to steal, in the mind of another person. This is unwholesome Kamma. It also looks bad for an alms mendicant, living on charity as a source of inspiration to others, to have luxurious belongings. One who is content with little should be a light to a world where consumer instincts and greed are whipped up in people's minds.

Although the Vinaya specifies a prohibition on accepting and handling gold and silver, the real spirit of it is to forbid use and control over funds, whether these are bank notes or credit cards. The Vinaya even prohibits a monk from having someone else receive money on his behalf. In practical terms, monasteries are financially controlled by lay stewards, who then make open invitation for the Sangha to ask for what they need, under the direction of the Abbot. A junior monk even has to ask an appointed agent (generally a senior monk or Abbot) if he may take up the stewards' offer to pay for dental treatment or obtain medicines, for example. This means that as far as is reasonably possible, the donations that are given to the stewards to support the Sangha are not wasted on unnecessary whims.

If a layperson wishes to give something to a particular monk, but is uncertain what he needs, he should make an invitation. Any financial donations should not be to a monk but to the stewards of the monastery, perhaps mentioning if it's for a particular item or for the needs of a certain monk. For items such as travelling expenses, money can be given to an accompanying anagarika (dressed in white) or accompanying layperson, who can then buy tickets, drinks for a journey or anything else that the monk may need at that time. It is quite a good exercise in mindfulness for a layperson to actually consider what items are necessary and offer those rather than money.

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

"He assured that all the cars donated are actually used to draw in Buddhists to the temple to learn more of Lord Buddha’s teachings."

You mean the Buddhist teaching of rejecting ALL material possessions???

I fail to see how possessing so much wealth and material goods will help teach that lesson, unless you are teaching by saying "do as I say, not as I do"???

[Inyourendo]

Arrrrgggghhhh farang you no unnerstan ......I teaching, using these things as examples of what you should not be wanting........sheesh

[klauskunkel]

What's the matter? The Lord Buddha drove one (until he crashed it and ran away)

[tukkytuktuk]

While we were in Chiang Mail, we visited Wat Phra Singh and spotted this classic 1948 Royal Princess Vauxhall. I took several photos and was able to capture this image of a monk walking by.

While researching this classic car, it is apparently used on very special occasion for the monks

http://photosmtnclimbers.blogspot.com/2012/12/y2d45-monks-car.html?m=1

Thailand, Chiang Mai, a Buddhist monk is trying to fix his old car's engine

http://depositphotos.com/11112142/stock-photo-thailand-chiang-mai-a-buddhist.html

Yes I found a reference to the same classic car reviewed on tripadvisor.com

“The most popular monastery in Chiang Mai”

Reviewed 3 February 2015

Located near the border of the ancient walls (right on the opposite side of Tapae Gate) Wat Phra Singh is a complex of temples and premises for monks. Usually crowded with pilgrims from all over Thailand, it is however possible to find a quiet place to seat and meditate.

After having visited the main buildings, walk along the right side and seat on a bench under the trees. Every tree bears a phrase of Buddhist wisdom. Read and meditate!

While walking along the right side of the compound you will notice a beautiful and old black Vauxhall car. In my opinion from the '40. I've seen it there for at least 15 years. I wonder if it never moves...

Visited January 2015

https://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/ShowUserReviews-g293917-d447343-r254807813-Wat_Chiang_Man-Chiang_Mai.html

Okay for them to own a classic car but not for other temples. Double standard's.

[tukkytuktuk]

While we were in Chiang Mail, we visited Wat Phra Singh and spotted this classic 1948 Royal Princess Vauxhall. I took several photos and was able to capture this image of a monk walking by.

While researching this classic car, it is apparently used on very special occasion for the monks

http://photosmtnclimbers.blogspot.com/2012/12/y2d45-monks-car.html?m=1

Thailand, Chiang Mai, a Buddhist monk is trying to fix his old car's engine

http://depositphotos.com/11112142/stock-photo-thailand-chiang-mai-a-buddhist.html

Yes I found a reference to the same classic car reviewed on tripadvisor.com

“The most popular monastery in Chiang Mai”

Reviewed 3 February 2015

Located near the border of the ancient walls (right on the opposite side of Tapae Gate) Wat Phra Singh is a complex of temples and premises for monks. Usually crowded with pilgrims from all over Thailand, it is however possible to find a quiet place to seat and meditate.

After having visited the main buildings, walk along the right side and seat on a bench under the trees. Every tree bears a phrase of Buddhist wisdom. Read and meditate!

While walking along the right side of the compound you will notice a beautiful and old black Vauxhall car. In my opinion from the '40. I've seen it there for at least 15 years. I wonder if it never moves...

Visited January 2015

https://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/ShowUserReviews-g293917-d447343-r254807813-Wat_Chiang_Man-Chiang_Mai.html

Okay for them to own a classic car but not for other temples. Double standard's.

Another sighting, this time on instagram.

Black Vauxhall oldtimer, parked in the driveway of the abode of a Buddhist monk at the Wat Prah Singh temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand. "Is fifty years old," he tells me, wearing the monks signature bright orange robe. Whether it is still in driving condition, I wasn't able to clarify. Since monks are only allowed a very limited set of possessions, whose car it actually was is a mystery to me.

https://www.instagram.com/p/2dy_mZQF7A/

[tukkytuktuk]

This classic car at the Chiang Mai temple is a tourist attraction.

We sit and rest in the shade in the grounds of the temple and then we notice an old car parked near us. It is maintained in pristine condition and Mum says it looks very like the first car her father had when she was about 12 years old – a Vauxhall. She recognises the silver metal band on the side of the bonnet. We go over to have a closer look and it is a Vauxhall!

http://helensroundtheworldtravels.blogspot.com/2011/11/thailand-holiday-with-mum-chiang-mai.html

[allanos]

The Vauxhall harks back to the days when colour variation was simply not the order of the day.

As Henry Ford reportedly once said, a customer can have any colour they want . . . as long as it's black!

[metisdead]

An off topic post has been removed.

[inzman]

Buddha would be very sad the way his teachings have been canabolized by the Thais. It's all about money and status here.

[MaiChai]

Buddhism is boring so we need classic cars to pull the punters in! What an excuse.