Is the Thai tradition of Buddhism on the decline?

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

01/10/2009 - FRANCE

String of suicides at France Telecom sparks call for action

On Friday, a 32-year-old woman became the 23rd France Telecom employee to commit suicide in the last 18 months. As her death sends shockwaves throughout the country, we ask what is so terribly wrong at France's main telephone operator.

FINANCIAL CRISIS

Lehman bank collapse: one year on

On September 15, 2008, Lehman Brothers went bankrupt, victims of the subprime crisis and excessive risk-taking. Exactly one year after the scandal, former employees reflect on the fall and its consequences.

11/09/2009 - SPAIN

Abortion debate splits country in two

As Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero presses ahead with plans to make abortion legal in Spain, the stage is set for another showdown between reformists and a conservative camp fired up by the Catholic Church.

10/09/2009 - FRANCE

Sarkozy makes case for carbon tax

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has unveiled plans to levy a carbon tax on consumption of oil, gas and coal, set at 17 euros per tonne of CO2 emitted. But his call for urgent action to tackle global warming is yet to win over a sceptical public.

10/09/2009 - VENEZUELA

Chavez, a unique and controversial figure

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez is nothing if not a controversial figure. Having just completed a world tour meeting allies of Venezuela, Chavez continues to stir up opposition at home and in the US, though popularity polls give him 57 percent.

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