Corruption flourishes thanks to Thai taboo against punishing wealthy and powerful

This was an excellent letter and one of the best I have ever read on Buddhism. The only thing Mr Page left out was the fact that there appears to be another group of monks who are nothing but conmen who enter the monkhood specifically to fleece it. Phra Dhamachayo seems to be among their number, and we had a head monk here in Yasothon who is now married and living on his ill-gotten property. It would be unfair to single out Buddhism, because this phenomenon occurs in all religions, (Catholic priests, Islam’s Mullah Omar and his air-conditioned cattle-pens, etc). It also occurs universally in business and government. 

What sets Thailand apart, however, is an abhorrence of punishing transgressors who have been exposed. We all remember the contract-killer Army major who almost went free before being belatedly punished – and then was released from jail after a few years. And of course there is Thaksin Shinawatra, who had a clear path to the airport (and most likely a warning call). What are the chances that his sister Yingluck, if it looks like she can be successfully prosecuted, will also get a green light and escort to the airport? Thai culture has a taboo against punishing anyone of status, wealth or power, and that is its downfall. It is also why we now see an increasing number of avaricious Thai Buddhist monks.

John Arnone