Thailand arrests senior monks to clean up Buddhism

[left-of-center2012]

BANGKOK (Reuters) -

Thai police raided four Buddhist temples on Thursday, arresting several prominent monks and worshipers in the year’s biggest such operation amid a crackdown on illegal financial dealings by temples.

The raids are the military government’s latest bid to reform Buddhism, which is followed by more than 90 percent of Thailand’s population of 69 million, but whose image has been tarnished by money and sex scandals involving monks.

Thailand’s temples, which earn billions of dollars every year from donations, have been embroiled in scandals ranging from murder, sex and drugs to shady financial dealings. Under pressure from the junta, Thailand’s body of Buddhist monks has been trying to clean up its own act since last year, by enforcing tougher discipline for more than 300,000 monks.

Buddhist monks are highly respected in Thailand and taking action against them was historically considered taboo. But recent scandals have forced authorities to rethink how they handle allegations against Buddhist religious leaders.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-buddhism/thailand-arrests-senior-monks-in-temple-raids-to-clean-up-buddhism-idUSKCN1IP0X3

[The Polack MSgt]

1. Combine money and influence with a lack of oversight and sooner or later

This is what will happen.

[Ferrets are Cool]

2. Wow, even the Buddhist's are corrupt? This is so sad.

I guess I should not be surprised.

[left-of-center2012]

3. I'm a little surprised

I studied and attended the Hsi Fang temple in San Diego when I lived in southern CA and you could not meet nicer people.

Yet there was a news story of a near riot about 15 years ago at a Buddhist monastery in South Korea over
ownership of a Rolls Royce after the head monk passed away.

[grantcart]

4. They were part of the Shinnawatra crime family

It spread to the wife of the crown Prince (now king), police, politicians.

The army has been very effective in cleaning out corruption (including forcing the crown Prince to divorce his then wife and her relatives that took over the police)

There have always been corrupt monks unfortunately but this time it included a massive money laundering scheme that involved stealing hundreds of millions of dollars.