Outspoken monk 'explains' amulets

Controversial figure accused of lese majeste

Activist monk Phra Buddha Isara said he was visiting the Crime Suppression Division on Tuesday to address accusations that he violated the lese majeste law.
Activist monk Phra Buddha Isara said he was visiting the Crime Suppression Division on Tuesday to address accusations that he violated the lese majeste law.

Activist monk Phra Buddha Isara has visited the Crime Suppression Division after being accused of lese majeste.

Accompanied by his lawyer, the controversial monk, who was one of the leading campaigners responsible for ousting the former Pheu-Thai government, reported to the Crime Suppression Division office on Tuesday morning and spent an hour talking with police.

"I had been informed that police investigators came to interrogate people at Wat Orm Noy. I have also been informed that the police are preparing to raid the temple. So, I came today to give information that the police might need," said Phra Buddha Isara, also known as Phra Suvit Theerathammo, abbot of Wat Orm Noy Temple in Nakhon Pathom.

His move came after an accusation of lese majeste was made against him. In April last year, Wichai Prasertsutsiri, coordinator of an organisation that promotes Buddhism, reportedly accused Phra Buddha Isara of producing Buddhist amulets eight years ago bearing the emblem of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The amulets, called Phra Nak Prok, carried the royal emblem but Mr Wichai said he was unsure if Phra Buddha Isara had been granted royal permission to use it.

In addition, some of the monk's blood was allegedly used during the blessing ceremony, which was considered inappropriate. Adverts for the amulets were also found on a number of websites.

Mr Wichai said that if the monk had used the emblem without permission, he may have breached Section 112 of the charter.

Learn from listening

Click play to listen to audio for this story, or download to save the file
: :

Vocabulary

  • abbot (noun): the head monk at a temple - เจ้าอาวาส
  • amulet: a small object that some people wear around their neck as a protection against evil, bad luck, disease etc - เครื่องราง
  • blessing: when someone says or does something to wish you well in life, work or a project, a prayer asking for help and protection - การสวดให้พร, การให้พร
  • breach (noun): a failure to follow a law or rule - การละเมิดกฎหมาย, การละเมิดกฎข้อบังคับ
  • campaigner: a person who takes part in organized activities which are intended to change something in society - ผู้ต่อสู้,ผู้รณรงค์,ผู้โฆษณาเผยแพร่
  • controversial: causing disagreement or disapproval - ความไม่ลงรอยกัน
  • emblem (noun): a sign or symbol - สัญลักษณ์, เครื่องหมาย
  • grant: to officially give something - ให้
  • interrogate: to ask someone a lot of questions in order to get information - สอบถาม,ซักถาม
  • lese majeste: the crime of offending, threatening or showing disrespect for a member of the royal family - หมิ่นพระบรมเดชานุภาพ
  • oust: to force to leave a position of power - ขับออกจากอำนาจ
  • raid: to use force to enter a place suddenly in order to arrest people or search for something such as illegal weapons or drugs - บุกเข้าจับ, เข้าตรวจค้น
Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT
MORE IN SECTION