Phra Buddha Issara
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
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
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
- ^ 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.