Alarmist headline

Re: “Temple abbot admits he sold 200-year-old phayung tree for B1.2m”, (Online, June 16).

For many who just “flick” through the headlines, this may well register as the thought, “Look! Another bad monk in Thailand.” And for those that glance a little further, they may think that the monk is claiming that his actions are within the law. But one needs to read the whole article to learn the truth.

The abbot said, “When an investor offered to buy the 200-year-old phayung tree for 1.2 million baht, the temple committee held a meeting with villagers and they agreed to sell it.”

He added that “proceeds from the sale would go to temple developments. Surveillance cameras would be installed to help prevent the remaining phayung trees from being stolen”.

Please explain to us readers, why did this good monk admit to anything? These are characteristic “alarmist headlines” — aimed to catch the eye of the reader and cast more doubts on Thailand’s monastics. (PHRA) ALAN COOPER