webfact Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 A kind-hearted beggar who once donated over 1 million baht to a temple is now out of the templeNAKHON PATHOM: -- An elderly beggar who earlier donated more than one million baht of his savings from begging to Wat Rai Khing has been expelled from the temple where he took refuge for several decades.The beggar, Mr Iam Kampeeranont or Uncle Iam, is now living alone at a small room in front of the temple in Nakhon Pathom province thanks to the support of the social development and human security office.An official of the office said that the office has not abandoned Uncle Iam but he is now having difficulty to make a living because he is sick and can hardly help himself.The official who declined to be named admitted that he didn’t know why Uncle Iam was expelled from the temple.However, another official said that Uncle Iam was removed from the temple because of the government’s new policy banning begging on temple grounds.Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/155026 -- Thai PBS 2016-03-15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canathai8 Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Despite his inherent infirmary - his generosity and kind spirit renders his face still youthful looking - there is hope for humanity after all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratcatcher Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 After having made this substantial donation, I would have thought that he would be under the care of the monks,all being good Buddhists of course, and thus there would be no need for him to beg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yoram Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Two things bugs me here, the fact that a beggar has a million baht, and that a temple that got said money has thrown the man out on his ass just because he's unable to look after himself, there are many 'whys' that beggars to be asked here...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessi Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Food for thought when one donates money to any organization. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratcatcher Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Food for thought when one donates money to any organization. There may well be food for thought but it doesn't look as if Mr Iam saw too much of the food. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesetat2013 Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 A million baht! That should have bought him a lifetime of being cared for by the temple, whether he continued to beg for money, or not. It just goes to show what Thai Buddhism stands for. It surely was not meant to be this way. I would bet money they are throwing the food he normally ate to the dogs who scavenge their. What a shame this man had no forethought to use that million on a younger woman and a house so he had a place to live and a woman to take care of him until he dies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starky Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 So contrary to some popular horror stories old uncle lam not only wasn't under the control of some insidious gang but also managed to accrue a million baht. Nice going uncle pity all your merit making couldn't secure you a spot in the temple. Absolutely disgraceful performance by the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davetrout Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Two things bugs me here, the fact that a beggar has a million baht, and that a temple that got said money has thrown the man out on his ass just because he's unable to look after himself, there are many 'whys' that beggars to be asked here...... 1 million baht over 70 years is not a lot of money to earn even for a beggar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starky Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Two things bugs me here, the fact that a beggar has a million baht, and that a temple that got said money has thrown the man out on his ass just because he's unable to look after himself, there are many 'whys' that beggars to be asked here...... 1 million baht over 70 years is not a lot of money to earn even for a beggar It neither stated it was his life savings or in fact even all his savings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluespunk Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 "The official who declined to be named admitted that he didn’t know why Uncle Iam was expelled from the temple" Ooh, please sir, please sir, I know the answer to this one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluespunk Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Two things bugs me here, the fact that a beggar has a million baht, and that a temple that got said money has thrown the man out on his ass just because he's unable to look after himself, there are many 'whys' that beggars to be asked here...... 1 million baht over 70 years is not a lot of money to earn even for a beggar You try it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docshock13 Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 So contrary to some popular horror stories old uncle lam not only wasn't under the control of some insidious gang but also managed to accrue a million baht. Nice going uncle pity all your merit making couldn't secure you a spot in the temple. Absolutely disgraceful performance by the way. Hopefully his kindness has secured a better future for him in the next life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaiyenyen Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 It sounds to me like he gave the money to the temple and then became a beggar, which would make more sense. The word 'several' doesn't mean 'seven' ie seventy years. So I reckon 30-40 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pimay1 Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 Two things bugs me here, the fact that a beggar has a million baht, and that a temple that got said money has thrown the man out on his ass just because he's unable to look after himself, there are many 'whys' that beggars to be asked here...... My take on it would be the man ran out of money and was of no use to the monks any more so they kicked him out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barnet Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 And yet this corrupt group of scumbags and what they pretend to represent will be worshiped without criticism for all of time. Not exclusively Thai but the bit about kicking him out due to his health is. Thainess God bless em.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmsally Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 A society's religion is often a reflection of itself. I would say Thailand would be a good example of this tenet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klauskunkel Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 government’s new policy banning begging on temple grounds. monks don't like the competiton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thai3 Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 It sounds to me like he gave the money to the temple and then became a beggar, which would make more sense. The word 'several' doesn't mean 'seven' ie seventy years. So I reckon 30-40 years. No, all the money was from begging at the temple, this guy was a begging star and people used to go to Wat Rai King just to give him money. On some festivals and weekends he could rake in over 100.000 baht. The irony is that begging is no longer allowed on temple grounds, better do away with all those donation boxes then of various sorts. If anyone has been to Rai king they will know it's a theme park of money collecting. As well as giving most of his income to the Wat he also paid for expensive concerts there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worgeordie Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 Maybe they will allow him back when he saves another Million, everything is about money here. regards worgeordie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kayahammer Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 Two things bugs me here, the fact that a beggar has a million baht, and that a temple that got said money has thrown the man out on his ass just because he's unable to look after himself, there are many 'whys' that beggars to be asked here...... I live near the temple and have met uncle lam. He is mentally and physically challenged and loves his Buddhist religion. He feels a part of the temple, and is doing something with his life (other than sitting at home making smart ass comments on a forum) and he collected the million bhat over decades and decades, which he generously gave to the temple. I don't imagine he was 'thrown out on his ass' as you so eloquently put it. The temple would have sorted him the room (located opposite the temple) so he can still feel part of it, and no doubt he is welcome whenever he wants to go as he was a big part of life there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cumgranosalum Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 so you give $30000 and expect the temple to keep you for the rest of your life? It seems to me that his cave is the responsibility of the state.............as for comments on his "youthful good looks" - thank God that person isn't my doctor....what a profoundly daft comment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goong Ying Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 So contrary to some popular horror stories old uncle lam not only wasn't under the control of some insidious gang but also managed to accrue a million baht. Nice going uncle pity all your merit making couldn't secure you a spot in the temple. Absolutely disgraceful performance by the way. Hopefully his kindness has secured a better future for him in the next life. I optimistically believe that behind the scenes he will be looked after here and now. His plight will have spread among some good people out there. He has probably been used to living a frugal life and now with a different roof over his head it wouldn't take much to sustain him. Looks like two possible such people near him and are they boxes of food? Forever optimistic is this "Goong Ying". Lets hope and pray for a Godly/humanitarian follow-up story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emster23 Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 "government’s new policy banning begging on temple grounds." Um, begging is integral part of monkhood in Buddhism, as known by those of us who get up before noon..... Guess they want the monks to hit the streets as too easy to just sit at temple and take donations? Unable to locate a shred of logic here upon which to build some sort of criticism... return to boggle mode.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springheeled jack Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 it is a damn shame for this man to be treated in this way especially after giving the temple 1 million baht it is in fact a disgrace by the temple I think the locals should bear this in mind when making future donations . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cumgranosalum Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 Judging by the photo the man is gravely ill...i suspect that is why he longer lives at the temple.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swerver Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 it is a damn shame for this man to be treated in this way especially after giving the temple 1 million baht it is in fact a disgrace by the temple I think the locals should bear this in mind when making future donations . You hit the nail right on the head. …should bear in mind when making future donations. The word “Donate” Thais take literally as the dictionary state. Further search recommends the word GIVE also does not mention anything of receiving anything in return. When donating in Thailand even to institutes of higher learning you cannot specify how the multimillion Thai Bath donation is to be used. Their attitude is: “Just put the money here on my desk and I will take care of it”. If the “taking care of it” is what the donor’s intentions are is immaterial to Thais. Based on personal experience. Of course being from the Western world, no donation was made. donate do·nate [dṓ nàyt, dō náyt] (past and past participle do·nat·ed, present participle do·nat·ing, 3rd person present singular do·nates) verb 1. vti give or present something: to a contribution to a charitable organization or other good cause 2. vt give body part: to give your own blood, tissue, organs, or reproductive material to be used in the treatment of another person, either while you are alive or after your death [Late 18th century. Back-formation < donation ] Word Key: Synonyms See give. give give [giv] (past gave [gayv], past participle giv·en [gívvən], present participle giv·ing, 3rd person present singular gives) CORE-MEANING: a verb used to indicate that somebody presents or delivers something that he or she owns to another person to keep or use NOTE: No need to list all the many explanations in Black’s Law Dictionary because non mention a single word of receiving anything in return. [ Old English giefan < Indo-European] Word Key: Synonyms give, present, confer, bestow, donate, grant, CORE MEANING: to hand over something to somebody give to place something that you are holding in the temporary possession of another person; Microsoft® Encarta® 2006. © 1993-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrowsdawdle Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 Food for thought when one donates money to any organization. Donate? No, no, no, you misunderstood. I asked for a donut. That money was a loan and since you didn't pay it back I had to beg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scouse123 Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 so you give $30000 and expect the temple to keep you for the rest of your life? It seems to me that his cave is the responsibility of the state.............as for comments on his "youthful good looks" - thank God that person isn't my doctor....what a profoundly daft comment. Hardly costing the temple anything is it??? They beg their food every day, they beg public donations for temple upkeep regularly, They even get their robes donated. There have been many reports on the ' frugal lifestyle ' some of these monks don't lead! They didn't say to the old guy, who maybe senile or uneducated, to keep hold of his funds for later life!!! I can't see him costing very much in the scale of things, he probably is self funding. He doesn't look like he'll be BEGGING the Abbot for money anytime soon, to hit the local discos and whore houses! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lampang2 Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 Two things bugs me here, the fact that a beggar has a million baht, and that a temple that got said money has thrown the man out on his ass just because he's unable to look after himself, there are many 'whys' that beggars to be asked here...... No one takes notice that he got decades of living in the temple for the money? Maybe the beggar is a pain in the as. Who knows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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