• Home
  • Metro Asian News
  • Misc Asia
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Art
  • Health
  • Eat Out
  • Events
  • Podcasts
ABOUT
Advertise in GAT
Contact us
Sunday, May 28, 2023
Georgia Asian Times
International Insurance of Georgia
  • Home
  • Metro Asian News
  • Misc Asia
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Art
  • Health
  • Eat Out
  • Events
  • Podcasts
  • Login
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Metro Asian News
  • Misc Asia
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Art
  • Health
  • Eat Out
  • Events
  • Podcasts
No Result
View All Result
Georgia Asian Times
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Metro Asian News
  • Misc Asia
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Art
  • Health
  • Eat Out
  • Events
  • Podcasts
Home Headline

‘Ultraman Buddha’ art in Thailand prompts police complaint

Georgia Asian Times by Georgia Asian Times
September 11, 2019
in Headline, Lifestyle
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Bangkok, Sept 11, 2019 – A group of Buddhist hardliners in Thailand filed a police complaint against a young female artist on Wednesday over paintings that depict images of the Buddha as the 1960s Japanese superhero character Ultraman.

The complaint over four paintings, displayed last week at a shopping mall in northeastern Thailand, highlights the emboldenment of ultra-conservative Buddhist groups that seek to go farther than establishment religious authorities in combating perceived threats to their faith.

Buddhism, followed by more than 90% of Thais, is one of three traditional pillars of Thai society, alongside the nation and the monarchy.

The painting was removed from the exhibition last week and the artist – a fourth-year university student whose name has been withheld for her safety – had to publicly apologize to northeastern Nakhon Ratchasima province’s chief monk in front of the provincial governor.

AD: High Museum of Atlanta AD: High Museum of Atlanta

In the past, that might have been the end of the incident.

But on Wednesday, the hardline group Buddhist Power of the Land said it had filed a police complaint against the artist and four others involved in the exhibition, on the grounds that comparing the Buddha to an action figure was disrespectful.

The group wants the five prosecuted under a law against insulting religion that allows imprisonment of up to seven years.

“The paintings dishonored and offended Buddhists and harmed a national treasure,” Buddhist Power of the Land representative Charoon Wonnakasinanone told Reuters.

The group also wants the paintings destroyed.

Under Thai law, police must investigate a complaint and recommend whether there are grounds to pursue criminal charges, a process that usually takes at least seven days.

ESTABLISHMENT VS HARDLINERS

Thailand’s official Buddhist authorities oppose criminal charges against the artist.

Pongporn Pramsaneh, director of the Office of National Buddhism, told Reuters he considered the matter closed after the public apology.

“Whoever want to take legal action, we will not get involved,” Pongporn said.

Few have been jailed under the law, though there have been some cases of fines, including against tourists with Buddha tattoos or souvenir statues.

The artist could not be reached for comment, and the shopping center that held the exhibition declined to comment.

The paintings were all sold last week, and one of the buyers has decided to auction it for charity. Bids had reached 500,000 baht ($84,819) as of Wednesday, with the proceeds due to be donated to a hospital.

“The paintings have shown the differences in this country between conservative and progressive Buddhists who based their belief on Buddhist teachings rather than attachment to objects or rituals,” said Pakorn Porncheewangkul, the owner of the painting being auctioned.

CHANGING VIEWS

Surapot Taweesak, a Buddhist scholar, said the controversy showed the reforms of Buddhism that took place under the previous military government, which aimed to clean up temples and the monk hood stalked by scandals, have failed.

On the one hand, some Thais feel that the religion is less relevant to their daily lives. And at the same time, a reactionary hardline movement has arisen that sees Buddhism as under threat and in need of defense the religious establishment is not providing.

The trend also sparked a Buddhist nationalist party, Pandin Dharma Party, modeled after similar political movements in Myanmar and Sri Lanka, which contested July’s elections under the slogan of Buddhism under threat.

“In the Ultraman case, the law is dragged in instead of a normal debate,” Surapot said. “This case reflects the insecurity felt by many monks and followers about their religion.”

Previous Post

Apple reveals triple-camera iPhone, undercuts Disney streaming TV price

Next Post

China exempts some U.S. goods from retaliatory tariffs as fresh talks loom

Georgia Asian Times

Georgia Asian Times

Related Posts

A public person in a private country: Tina Turner reveled in ‘normal’ life in her Swiss home
Lifestyle

A public person in a private country: Tina Turner reveled in ‘normal’ life in her Swiss home

May 25, 2023
Tips for growing herbs (you don’t even need a garden)
Lifestyle

Tips for growing herbs (you don’t even need a garden)

May 24, 2023
Chanel lures stars with cruise fashion show in Los Angeles
Lifestyle

Chanel lures stars with cruise fashion show in Los Angeles

May 10, 2023
Met Gala: Rihanna, Jared Leto as Choupette, Kim K. in pearls
Lifestyle

Met Gala: Rihanna, Jared Leto as Choupette, Kim K. in pearls

May 2, 2023
Louis Vuitton turns Seoul bridge into massive runway
Lifestyle

Louis Vuitton turns Seoul bridge into massive runway

April 30, 2023
Moulin Rouge! The Musical! – Fabulously entertaining at The Fox
Lifestyle

Moulin Rouge! The Musical! – Fabulously entertaining at The Fox

April 23, 2023
Next Post

China exempts some U.S. goods from retaliatory tariffs as fresh talks loom

Signup Free E-Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Jul 14
6:00 pm - 10:30 pm

GAT 25 Most Influential Asian Americans in Georgia 2023

View Calendar
Logo

 

CONTACT US

Follow Us

MOST INFLUENTIAL

2023 GAT 25 Most Influential Asian American Pacific Islanders in Georgia

2023 GAT 25 Most Influential Asian American Pacific Islanders in Georgia

April 30, 2023
GAT 25 Most Influential Asian Americans Gala celebrates Asian voice

GAT 25 Most Influential Asian Americans Gala celebrates Asian voice

July 18, 2022

Video highlights of GAT 25 Most Influential Asian Americans in Georgia

July 17, 2022

LINKS OF INTEREST

ATL Asian Film Festival

     

GAT AAPI SUMMIT 2023

  • Contact Us
  • Advertise in GAT
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

© 2023 Georgia Asian Times - Empowered by 8SOL. Managed by Arckopolis.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Metro Asian News
  • Misc Asia
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Art
  • Health
  • Eat Out
  • Events
  • Podcasts

© 2023 Georgia Asian Times - Empowered by 8SOL. Managed by Arckopolis.

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Google
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Early Bird (May 19-31, 2023)

  • Honoree

    $225.00
    Select
  • Single Seat

    $225.00
    Select
  • Table of 8

    $1,800.00
    Select

Subscribe

Stay ahead of the curve with Georgia Asian Times’ exclusive newsletter. Get the hottest news stories and cultural insights delivered straight to your inbox. No subscription fees, just pure Asian excellence

 

    Loading
    Loading
    Loading
    Loading
    Loading
    Register for FREE to read the rest of this article, or log in to your account.

      Or Login Here :

      [loginfrm]

      Are you sure want to unlock this post?
      Unlock left : 0
      Are you sure want to cancel subscription?