Khmer Monks Asking For Alms In Pattaya – Again

Source: pattayadailynews
Feb 3, 2012

Cambodian monks roaming the Pattaya streets lined with beer bars with their alms bowls asking foreigners for money at three in morning. Pattaya police arrested 14 Khmer monks at 03:30 asking foreigners for money. The monks were detained, inspected and found out to be real monks. They had entered Thailand legally but their behavior has damaged the Buddhist religion and the image of monks in Pattaya. Monk Pisarn, Lord Abbot emphasized that this time he will forgive them and he will not unfrock them but he will send them back to Cambodia immediately. And he forbids them not return to Thailand again. If they return they will be prosecuted according to the law.

Pattaya, February 2, 2012 [PDN]; Pattaya police detained 14 Cambodian monks walking with their alms bowls arounf beer bars in South Pattaya. The monks were taken to Pattaya police station for inspection of their their passports and whether they were the real monks or not. This happened after Pattaya locals complained that everyday from 03:00-04:00 many monks were walking around Pattaya beach and asking locals and tourists for money.

Therefore the local people complained to the police and asked if these monks are real Thai monks or a gang of foreign fake monks. On January 29, 2012 Pol. Maj. Gen. Jamnong Rattanakul, Commissioner Chonburi province together with Pol. Col. Yongyuth arrested two Khmer monks as they asking for alms at 04:00 at Soi 8 Pattaya beach,Walking Street.

The police asked to inspect their monk certificates and passports and found that all of them were the authentic ordained Cambodian monks. They had entered Thailand a week ago and were allowed to stay in Thailand for one month.

Upon inspection the Cambodian monks who can speak Thai fluently, said that they came from Cambodia via Baanlaem border, Chantaburi province and Arunyapratet border in Sakaew province. Some of them stayed in Kratinglai temple, Amphur Banglamung, Chonburi province and some of them claimed that they came to see their friends. Most of them had no temple to stay at. They stayed in the forest from 03:00-09:00 every day. After the arrest the Cambodian monks were taken to Pattaya police station.

But they could not be prosecuted because the 14 Cambodian monks had entered Thailand legally but they behaved inappropriately asking for money at night so the police invited all the monks to Wat Chaimongkol, South Pattaya to see monk Pisarn Jariyapiwat, the Lord Abbot of Tambon Na Kleu (the Abbot of Wat Chaimongkol)

Monk Pisarn asked for information from the Cambodian monks and blamed them for misbehaving and forbid them not to ask for alms at night in areas with beer bars. If they would do it again they would be unfrocked and asked to leave the monkhood.

The Cambodian monks confessed for their fault and apologized and promised that they will not come back to Pattaya again. Monk Pisarn also told the 14 Cambodian monks not to tell other monks in Cambodia and not to come back to Thailand and ask tourists for money.

Monk Pisarn Jariyapiwat, the Lord Abbot of Tambon Na Klua, the Abbot of Wat Chaimongkol gave the Khmer monks some money for travelling to Cambodia. They were sent in van to Baanlaem border, Chantaburi province. The van driver was ordered to see that the monks went back to Cambodia accordingly.