KHON KAEN, Thailand – A deputy abbot in Khon Kaen has been formally disciplined after viral images showed him splashing water and applying powder to tourists during the Songkran festival, a provincial religious official said on Tuesday.
The move follows widespread online criticism of a group of monks and novices participating in street festivities outside a local temple. Images captured the deputy abbot applying traditional powder to a male tourist on a vehicle surrounded by dancers, prompting concerns over monastic decorum.
Nettip Charoenwai, Director of the Khon Kaen Provincial Office of Buddhism, clarified that the incident occurred on the evening of April 15 during a traditional parade. She stated that the monk, a member of the event organizing committee, acted “on impulse” amid high temperatures.
An ecclesiastical investigation concluded the conduct constituted Loka-vajja (worldly fault)—actions that, while not severe breaches of monastic law, are deemed inappropriate by the public and damaging to the faith’s reputation.
The monastic committee has issued a formal written reprimand against the deputy abbot, placing him on a one-year probation. Official warnings were also issued to the other monks and novices involved. “If a repeat offense occurs, he will be immediately stripped of his position,” Nettip said. (TNA)
