Members of South Korean sect blamed…
BTS’ Jimin: Suga’s shoulder surgery…
No, future Pixel phones aren’t exempt from…
Tips For Playing Marvel’s Spider-Man…
Cisco beats quarterly revenue estimates
Notice Your Cat Sleeping More Lately…
The Best Black Friday Deals On Air Fryers…
Kyle Walker Is No Idiot – the Stats Show Man…
Citroen mini SUV spied testing on Indian roads
Government adds eight countries to England’s…
‘Durian-faced bird’ spotted at Changi
‘For Life’ actor Nicholas Pinnock on why l…
From RM’s Korean war speech to Blackpink…
Chinese President Xi personally halted…
Top US cybersecurity official reportedly…
Singapore’s CrossInvest Targets Asia Money…
The Most Breathable Face Masks To Run In
This Beloved Sandwich Chain Is Opening 17…
The Spain Lineup That Should Start Against…
Tata Motors trademarks three new nameplates…
Here’s how to book holiday travel with no…
SG college’s roof breaks during rain
Malaysian singer Jamal Abdillah, 61, chooses…
Blondie’s Debbie Harry launches sustainable…
Vatican calling: Pope congratulates Joe…
Amazon sues influencer over alleged…
PS5 vs Xbox Series X: Which should you buy?
Mexican president presents bill to ban…
You can now monitor your pregnancy with…
B.B.Big’s matcha & red bean popsicles now…
Patrick Vieira’s comments on Arsenal…
Kia Motors presents two new service offers
10 of the best light festivals worldwide…
EDB To Launch New Work Pass In Janua…
G-Eazy’s rep slams speculation Halsey…
Migos star Quavo acquires stake in…
Italy’s PM reassures kids that Santa won’t…
A mission to ‘Mars’ at the HI-SEAS habitat…
PS5 price and bundles: when can we expect…
Singtel records $468.8m net profit in…
Two thirds of Covid-19 survivors still have…
Home Bakers Will Love Great Jones’s Latest…
Paul Pogba must accept a few simple…
S’pore Tourism Board working with Pokémon GO to promote local tourism
Members of South Korean sect blamed for virus spread arrested in Singapore
It could be the end of protest “carrots” – as monks are called in the pro-democracy movement – after the top religious authority today forbade them from joining rallies.
The government’s National Buddhism Office announced that the Sangha Supreme Council, the top ecclesiastical body, had agreed to order temples nationwide to bar their monks and novices from participating in political activities at risk of unspecified punishment.
Office Director Narong Songarom, who reports to the embattled prime minister, said both his office and the council had received complaints from people about monks participating in political demonstrations.He said that a few warnings were issued to head monks with little effect. He cited the Sangha Act of 1995, which states that Buddhist monks can’t be involved in politics.
Yet monks have long played a role in popular uprisings, often on the front lines of civil disobedience. The pro-establishment street protests which ushered in the 2014 coup were in part led by a firebrand monk later jailed and defrocked for fraud.
People have called the ban a double-standard in violation of monks’ human rights.
“#SanghaReformPlease monks are also human, so why restrict their freedom?” Koson Udomsin wrote. “Monks especially should help cultivate political and social reforms.”
“Well, you didn’t say anything when it came to Buddha Issara,” Permwit Promtavepong wrote, referring to Suwit Thongpasert, the confrontational and antagonistic leader of the 2013-2014 street protests. He led crowds to occupy government agencies and extort money from at least one hotel. He was defrocked two years ago.
“I don’t want monks to join the youth protests, but I have to admit that I feel very sorry that the Sangha Supreme Council is being so biased,” Roongrat T Boonpoodpong commented. “Buddha Issara has acted a lot worse. Can’t find the good in Thai Buddhism anymore.”
The next mass rally has been called for 2pm on Saturday at the Education Ministry. Organizers have only said they will march to the Democracy Monument in a prelude to a larger rally later this month.
This article, Thai monks ordered to stay away from pro-democracy rallies, originally appeared on Coconuts, Asia’s leading alternative media company.
The work pass is for foreign tech professionals looking to start businesses, lead corporate teams or teach in Singapore. The post EDB To Launch New Work Pass In January 2021 To Attract Top-Tier Tech Talents To S’pore appeared first on Vulcan Post.
With travel off the cards for now, how are you spending your weekends? If you’ve already done one too many staycations, maybe it’s time for a change in scenery: a complete change in landscape to be exact. We’re talking about a yacht charter on the waters. Cruise ships may be a firm choice for many, especially with its multitude of entertainment areas and buffet choices, but not everyone might be comfortable with that idea. After all, crowds…
A viral video of man single-handedly beating up three others in a fight was circulated on social media and Whatsapp messenger. In the video, the burly-looking man with a single punch, knocked another out cold. The video, filmed on Wednesday (Nov 11) night, was circulated on Whatsapp Messenger and Facebook on Thursday (Nov 12). While […]
His realm beset by division and unprecedented defiance to his rule, King Vajiralongkorn yesterday penned a message to well-wishers about unity, love and Thai identity. Two days after thousands of protesters delivered letters to the monarch, Vajiralongkorn on Tuesday sent a message of his own through numerous messages penned to well-wishers during a visit to … This article, ‘Cherish the Thainess and you will definitely be happy,’ king tells…