Bangkok - In a novel new fight against police corruption, Thai authorities
want to teach cops the value of austerity by having them lead the luxury-free
lives of Buddhist monks.
Authorities will ask about 20 000 police officers - nearly 10% of the force -
to live as monks at Buddhist temples, the Bangkok Post newspaper reported
yesterday.
The officers would live at the temples for an unspecified period of time in the
hope that a dose of religious enlightenment will help them recognise and fight
corruption in the force.
The newspaper quoted assistant national police chief Lieutenant General Udom
Charoen as saying he planned the programme after receiving complaints from the
public about officers who failed to charge crime suspects because they are
wealthy and influential.
"We cannot prosecute corrupt police officers without evidence," he said. "The
only thing we can do is try to change their behaviour by encouraging them to
adopt Buddhist principles and practise meditation."
While living at temples, the police officers would be
required to rise early in the morning for meditation and prayers and attend
daily sermons, Udom said.
Authorities will be hoping that a slew of scandals at Buddhist
temples do not enlighten police in the wrong way.
While Buddhist monks are required to lead a luxury-free
life of celibacy and must live on alms to attain enlightenment, many temples
are awash with cash from donations.
In recent years the media has exposed monks having sex,
drinking alcohol and frequenting karaoke bars.
Others have been convicted of rape, murder and
financial wrongdoing.