Phra Buddha Issara
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Suwit Thongprasert (Thai: สุวิทย์ ทองประเสริฐ), formerly known by the monastic title Phra Buddha Issara (Thai: พระพุทธะอิสระ), is a Thai former activist Buddhist monk known for his campaigns to overhaul Thailand's religious institutions.[1][2] He has advocated for increased financial transparency among Thailand's 300,000 monks and for Thailand's governing buddhist authority, the Sangha Supreme Council, to enforce stricter rules.[3]
Career
[edit]Suwit's campaign for Buddhism reform in Thailand began in February 2013, following the Sangha Supreme Council's rejection of embezzlement allegations against Luang Por Dhammajayo, the abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya.[3] Thailand's military government's National Reform Council alleged Phra Dhammachayo had embezzled 900 million baht ($28 million) in donations.[3]
Arrest
[edit]On 24 May 2018, Suwit was arrested by police commandos at Wat Onoi in Nakhon Pathom Province.[4][5] He was charged with leading a criminal organization, extortion, and forging the royal emblem of King Vajiralongkorn.[4] He was disrobed and incarcerated after his bail was rejected.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ Fifield, Anna (2015-05-15). "Hardliner tries to reform Thailand's Buddhist monks behaving badly". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
- ^ "Monks run amok: will Thai junta's crackdown answer its prayers?". South China Morning Post. 2018-06-24. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
- ^ a b c Lefevre, Amy Sawitta (2015-03-01). "Activist monk seeks Buddhism overhaul in Thailand over corruption fears". Reuters. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
- ^ a b "From temple to prison: Implications of Buddha Issara's arrest | Prachatai English". prachataienglish.com. 2018-06-01. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
- ^ "Thailand arrests senior monks in temple raids to clean up Buddhism". Reuters. 2018-05-24. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
- ^ "Phra Buddha Isara disrobed, detained". Bangkok Post. 2018-05-24. Retrieved 2025-07-02.