Suwit Thongprasert
Suwit Thongprasert | |
|---|---|
สุวิทย์ ทองประเสริฐ | |
| Born | January 1, 1956 Nakhon Pathom province, Thailand |
| Other names | Suwit, Phra Buddha Isara, Luang Pu Buddha Isara, Phra Suwit Dhiradhammo |
| Occupations | Former Buddhist monk, activist |
| Known for | Leader of PDRC protests during the 2013–2014 Thai political crisis; campaigns to reform Buddhism in Thailand |
| Movement | PDRC |
| Criminal charge(s) | Treason, leading a criminal organization, extortion, forging royal emblem |
| Parent(s) | Chompoo and Amporn Thongprasert |
Suwit Thongprasert (Thai: สุวิทย์ ทองประเสริฐ), formerly known by the monastic names Phra Buddha Isara (Thai: พระพุทธะอิสระ) and Phra Suwit Dhiradhammo, is a Thai former activist Buddhist monk and former abbot of Wat On Noi, Kamphaeng Saen District, Nakhon Pathom Province. He is known for leading PDRC protests and advocating reforms in Thailand’s Buddhist institutions.[1][2]
Biography
Suwit was born in Bangkok on 1 January 1956 to Chompoo and Amporn Thongprasert.[3] He was first ordained at age 20 at Wat Khlong Toei Nai, Khlong Toei District, later left the monkhood to serve in the military, and re-ordained in Phatthalung Province in 1983 with the monastic title "Dhammathero." He established Wat On Noi on donated land in Huai Khwang Subdistrict, Kamphaeng Saen District, Nakhon Pathom Province in 1989 and became abbot in 1995.[3] He was appointed Chief Monk of Huai Khwang Subdistrict in 1999 after his predecessor passed away.[3]
Suwit resigned from the subdistrict abbot position and was defrocked and re-ordained in October 2001, receiving a new monastic title "Thiradhammo."[4] In 23 May 2016, Suwit submitted a letter to the Department of Special Investigation requesting the seizure of assets belonging to Luang Por Dhammajayo.[5]
2013–2014 Thai political crisis
During the 2013–2014 Thai political crisis, Suwit joined the PDRC protests to remove the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. He gave Dhamma talks and encouraged protesters at locations including Democracy Monument, the Ministry of Finance, and Chaeng Watthana Government Center.[6]
From 13 January 2014, when PDRC began traffic-blocking protests in multiple Bangkok areas, Suwit led the protesters at the Chaeng Watthana stage, which was farthest from other stages.[7][8]
On 14 May 2014, the Criminal Court approved arrest warrants for 43 PDRC leaders, including Suwit, for treason and seven other charges.[9][10]
Arrest
On 24 May 2018, Suwit was arrested by police commandos at Wat Onoi in Nakhon Pathom Province. He was charged with leading a criminal organization, extortion, and forging the royal emblem of King Vajiralongkorn. He was defrocked and incarcerated after bail was rejected.[11][12][13]
References
- ^ Fifield, Anna (2015-05-15). "Hardliner tries to reform Thailand's Buddhist monks behaving badly". The Guardian. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
- ^ "Monks run amok: will Thai junta's crackdown answer its prayers?". South China Morning Post. 2018-06-24. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
- ^ a b c Biography of Suwit Thongprasert Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine Former abbot of Wat On Noi, Nakhon Pathom Province
- ^ "หลวงปู่พุทธะอิสระ: หลวงปู่สึกลดพรรษา". Phutthaitsara Blog (in Thai). 2013-07-14. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
- ^ "Suwit requests DSI to seize assets". Retrieved 2025-10-08.
{{cite web}}: Check|archive-url=value (help) - ^ "Ex-Monk Buddha Isara on stage at Ratchadamnoen protests". foop.tv. 8 November 2013. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
- ^ "Shutdown Bangkok 13 Jan 2014: PDRC vs "Pu"". Thai Post. 13 January 2014. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
- ^ "Experts: "Chaeng Watthana stage – Buddha Isara" risky but survives". Isranews. 8 March 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
- ^ "Criminal Court approves arrest warrants for 30 PDRC leaders". Thairath.co.th. 14 May 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-05-17. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ "Court approves arrest warrants for 30 PDRC leaders". Posttoday.com. 14 May 2014. Archived from the original on 2021-06-15. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ "From temple to prison: Implications of Buddha Issara's arrest | Prachatai English". prachataienglish.com. 2018-06-01. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
- ^ "Thailand arrests senior monks in temple raids to clean up Buddhism". Reuters. 2018-05-24. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
- ^ "Phra Buddha Isara disrobed, detained". Bangkok Post. 2018-05-24. Retrieved 2025-07-02.