Monks have Power in Thailand

There had never been any objection by the local monks to Sengdeuan’s family planting vegetables and herbs on the land between the wat and their property. It was technically owned by the temple it seemed but it wasn’t causing any problems. The locals helped themselves to the produce occasionally, as is the custom in rural Thailand.

Then the abbot wanted to build a larger sala (a hall in the temple), mainly to accommodate the large numbers of mourners that came to the funeral rites. The Sengdeuan family, along with everyone else, contributed to the building costs.

The informal garden was cleared by a bulldozer early this morning. Part of that land included a short cut between two sois. It had never been clear whether that was municipal land or belonged to the wat.

Nobody wanted to challenge the abbot or get the position clarified. He’s allowing it to be used as a right of way. At least for the moment.

When I said that that was the Thai way, Sengdeuan replied: “It’s the monks’ way.”

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