Thailand warns Buddhist monks not to fly on private jets or accept lavish gifts

Private jets and fashion accessories are not welcome indulgences among Buddhist monks, says Thailand's Office of National Buddhism.

A video that emerged online recently shows Buddhist monks sitting on a jet, wearing aviator sunglasses and headphones. New York magazine identified one of their handbags as a Louis Vuitton designer tote. They seem at ease, yawning and chatting casually. But their fellow Buddhists suggested the monks shouldn't have felt so comfortable around luxury.

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Associated Press reports the national office warned the monks not to repeat the behaviour.

The director-general, Nopparat Benjawatananun, said they weren't "adhering to Buddha's teachings of simplicity and self-restraint," according to the news wire.

But it isn't easy being a monk.

The New York Times has reported that Buddhist monks in Thailand are straining to keep their values alive among a population that prefers to shop than visit a temple.

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And Benjawatananun noted there are certainly more material temptations to avoid today than when Buddha established his doctrine.

Still, The Associated Press reported about 300 of Thailand's 61,416 monks had misbehaved last year by drinking, having sex or committing extortion. In some cases, religious followers bought monks items such as expensive cars, according to the story.