Monks now being monitored for 'lavish lifestyle'

Bangkok: Thailand’s national Buddhism body says it is monitoring monks nationwide for any inappropriate behavior following complaints ignited by a video showing Buddhist monks boarding a private jet. [caption id=“attachment_877529” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Reuters image[/caption]

The YouTube video emerging recently showing one of the monks was wearing stylish aviator sunglasses, carrying a brand name travel bag and sporting a pair of modern-looking wireless headphones. It attracted criticism from Buddhists nationwide. Office of National Buddhism chief Nopparat Benjawatananun said Monday that the agency saw the video earlier this year and had warned the monks from a monastery in Thailand’s northeast not to repeat the lavish behavior. He said about 300 Buddhist monks in Thailand were reprimanded last year because of their misconduct, including drinking alcohol, having sex with women, and extortion. AP