CULTURE

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He shrugs off the criticism and rationally argues, "We have to survive." In the past, local newspapers have published other articles critical of his temple, particularly the Burmese monks. In one paper, a front-page photo showed Burmese monks playing chinlon, a Burmese game played with a woven rattan ball used in the Thai and Malaysian sport takraw. He argues that playing sport is a minor infraction of Buddhist tenets, adding that some Thai monks behave worse. For Burmese monks living at Wat Sri Chum, Luang Phor Chaleo has organized documents that allow them to stay in Thailand for two years and can then be renewed. At Wat Sri Chum, he has 19 Burmese and five Thai monks. Luang Phor Chaleo spoke at length about his temple but little about wider issues of faith. When asked if he had ever been to Burma, the abbot replied, "I have been to Tachilek," referring to the Shan border town opposite Mae Sai in northern Thailand. Then he laughed: "It’s too expensive to go to Rangoon." On the prickly issue of shaving the eyebrows of Burmese monks, he says he didn’t care either way. "I think they still receive alms [from Thais] anyway," he said shaking his head. Customarily, Thai monks shave their eyebrows while monks in Burma do not. Burmese monks insist that Buddha never asked monks to shave their eyebrows. "There were many rumors and hearsay," he explains. Instead, he recounts his own version of the story: When the ancient Thai capital Ayutthaya was under siege by Burmese soldiers, some soldiers posed as monks to enter Ayutthaya and gather intelligence. Aware of the infiltration, Thai abbots were ordered to shave their eyebrows so that the spying Burmese would be conspicuous. "It’s true!" insists Luang Phor Chaleo to his visitors who were listening in, but obviously not convinced. Even today, rumors persist that Rangoon sends monks to Thailand to gather intelligence as spies. Luang Phor Chaleo and some of the Burmese monks at Wat Pafang dismiss the allegation: "There are so many rumors but no proof," says Luang Phor Chaleo. One of the Thai monks at Wat Sri Chum said that Burmese people are portrayed in the Thai media as warmongers from a communist country. "But I think we can distinguish between the people of Burma and the [military] government," he explains. "Burmese are civilized and nice people," Luang Phor Chaleo adds. Luang Phor Chaleo has earned respect from many Burmese monks. When asked about Luang Phor Chaleo, a Burmese monk from Wat Pafang said: "He takes care of Burmese monks and loves them."