Two monks are in trouble over their live-streaming session of political messages and laughter.

Phra Maha Sompong Talaputto and Phra Maha Praiwan Worawano went live on Facebook over the weekend to talk about news and politics.

The talk show, where they used teenage slang, was a hit. At one point, the session had 200,000 viewers. However, Buddhist authorities did not find it amusing.

For Buddhist monks to livestream, laugh and ask for donations is against Sangha rules, according to critics.

The assistant abbot of Wat Rakhang Khositaram said no serious religious offence appears to have been committed by the monks.

It is a modern communication tool that reaches out to young people and can help with stress, he said.

However, if monks ask for donations, they must provide clear details of money going in and out of their accounts, he said.

Meanwhile, Phra Maha Praiwan said that his live programme was to bring religion closer to the people and to deepen their understanding of the dhamma.

The National Office of Buddhism was gathering details of the live session for investigation.