Hong Kong counts down to Halloween protest fright night
5 points
Opinion
The monk scandal we needed: Why we owe ‘that woman’ a thank you
5 points
News
Commerce minister defends her controversial livestream durian sales campaign
4 points
News
Somkid and Democrat deputy leader Korn in war of words
2 points
Thailand News in Brief
from Thai PBS WorldThailand and the world, every day
Swipe upto start reading / next story
Scroll downto start reading / next story
Key points summarised by AI Check them against the full article
The monk scandal we needed: Why we owe ‘that woman’ a thank you
10 Sept 10:36Key points summarised by AI
A major scandal involving at least 11 senior Thai monks for sexual misconduct has rocked the national religion, prompting widespread discussion and concern.
The woman involved is credited as an unintentional whistleblower, exposing deep-rooted malpractices within the monastic community that might otherwise have remained hidden.
While faith in individual monks is shaken, the article argues this event serves as a necessary 'big cleanup,' distinguishing human weakness from the enduring principles of Buddhism.
The scandal highlights how modern temptations like money, power, and status have compromised some monks, yet the fundamental teachings for freedom from suffering persist beyond individual failings.
True Buddhist practice and the Dhamma (teachings) remain intact, as the misconduct of 'conventional monks' does not diminish the essence of the Triple Gems or the ability of lay practitioners to observe good deeds independently.
Hong Kong counts down to Halloween protest fright night
Today 05:41Key points summarised by AI
Hong Kong police tightened security for Halloween, anticipating potential clashes between pro-democracy protesters and revelers in the popular Lan Kwai Fong party district.
Protesters planned a banned march to Lan Kwai Fong, a new target for the five-month-long anti-government unrest, leading to the deployment of 3,000 riot officers and water cannons.
The demonstrations reflect deep-seated anger over perceived Chinese interference in Hong Kong, with the ongoing unrest contributing to the city's first recession since the 2008 global financial crisis.
Despite police warnings and some business concerns, many Lan Kwai Fong establishments planned to operate as usual, though MTR stations and Ocean Park adjusted operations for safety.
A recent ban on face masks has been largely ignored by protesters, complicating police efforts to differentiate them from Halloween revelers in fancy dress.