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Thai Buddhism Film Festival Targeting the Younger Generation
In order to reach young Thais the government and private religious groups set up the International Buddhism Film Festival in Bangkok.
Promoters brought 36 films to teach about Buddhism in hopes of popularizing the faith among city residents.
According to Bloomberg Businessweek, about 90 per cent of Thailand’s population is Buddhist, but many view the religion simply as a rough guide to social do’s and don’ts, with “vague notions encouraging good behavior.”
The Festival debuted in Los Angeles in 2003 and this was the first year it was held in Bangkok. The festivals sponsors have aimed to make Buddhism something that is not just “for old people” but something for “the contemporary world,” said Santi Opaspakornkijj, executive director of the Buddhadasa Indapanno Archives, an education center dedicated to promoting Buddhism through Thailand.
“Crazy Wisdom,” a documentary about a controversial Tibetan monk who preached and lived in the West, was the most popular film during the festival.
Accused Iranian Bomber to be Extradited to Thailand
A Malaysian court ruled that Masoud Sedaghatzadeh, the Iranian man accused of plotting to attack Israeli targets in Bangkok, will be extradited to Thailand .
Masoud was arrested at a Malaysian airport after the February 14 bombings in a Bangkok neighborhood. Thai police said he was seen leaving the house where the explosions occurred and where bombs were later found.
According to the Huffington Post, Masoud said he was visiting Thailand for vacation and came to Malaysia to buy automobile parts for his business in Tehran. However, officials have said Israeli diplomats may have been the target for the alleged plot.
Judge Komathy Suppiah ruled there was sufficient evidence that Masoud was a fugitive who could be handed over to Thai custody. According to Malaysian extradition law he has 15 days to file an appeal and if convicted by Thailand law he potentially faces life in prison for plotting to attack Israeli targets in Bangkok.
Controversy over US Plans to Expand Thai Airbase
According to The Wall Street Journal, the US plans to expand its use of the U-Tapao Airfield in Thailand is starting to cause conflict. NASA has been set to use the naval airbase for a six week atmospheric research study in August and September to examine how emissions affect the atmosphere and monsoon rains as well as other issues.
Opposition lawmakers have been upset by these plans saying that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra should more carefully examine the proposal because it could “compromise Thai sovereignty and upset the country’s relations with China.”
Critics have also said that the arrangement could signal American intentions to ramp up its military presence in Thailand in order to counter Chinese influence in the region, and that NASA aircraft could be used for espionage.
There has even been speculation that a supposed deal will grant former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra a US visa. However, Kristin Kneedler, a spokesperson for the US embassy in Bangkok said visas are reviewed in accordance with US immigration law and that they “do not exchange visas for favors.”
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