Latest update: 23/01/2013 

- Buddhism - religion - Thailand


Is the Thai tradition of Buddhism on the decline?

No Flash warning
To take advantage of all the features on FRANCE24.COM, please click here to download the latest version of Flash Player.

Imagine a picture of Thailand and you might well come up with a scene of beautiful scenery and the Buddhist monks that are seen all over the country. Yet that might soon change. Numbers of those in the monkhood are a quarter of what they were twenty years ago; even those serving today don't know if they will continue in the long term. The decline is being blamed on modernity and materialism, with the Thai people increasingly turning away from traditional religious practises.

FOCUS
By Cyril PAYEN
01/09/2009 - HISTORY

Is the history of World War Two being rewritten?

On Tuesday, ceremonies marking the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Second World War in Poland were marred by spats between Russia and Eastern European states over their respective roles in the conflict. Is history being rewritten?
CHINA

Burmese refugees begin to return home

According to Chinese officials, 37,000 refugees streamed into the country from Burma following fighting in Kokang, a mainly ethnic Chinese region of Burma's Shan state. Some have now begun to return home, but fear more unrest.
FRANCE

Investigating magistrates may be axed in reform proposals

Nicolas Sarkozy is to be presented with a report on Tuesday proposing reforms of the criminal justice system including the controversial proposal that the politically independent body of investigating magistrates should be axed.
TRANSPORT
Eurostar: full speed ahead?
Focus looks at the success of the Eurostar, as the company that began its undersea rail service linking London with Paris and Brussels on November 14, 1994 welcomed its 100 millionth passenger on Friday.
SOUTH AFRICA
Caster Semenya's controversial medal
After her stunning gold medal at the 800 metres at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin, the South African athlete Caster Semenya returned home as national icon. However questions about her gender mount overseas.

React to the article
Comment this article typing your message in the above text zone. Please note that this is limited to 1500 characters or less.
(0) Reactions
Read more
Close