A Buddhist monk, who decided to take a dip at a Phuket beach, “was not naked”, despite the claims made by some “concerned citizens”.
Officials in Phuket say a monk who went swimming at Karon Beach shortly after 2pm on Friday, April 5, was in fact, partially clothed. They were responding to reports from some people who claimed he had fully stripped off before going into the water.
The Phuket News reports that Karon Police received a number of calls from people reporting the monk’s alleged naked swimming. A number of officers attended the scene and questioned 67 year old Phra Manop Nonthakho, who is originally from the northern province of Nakhon Sawan.
The monk told police he had travelled to the island from the southern province of Phattalung and wanted to bathe in the sea to help a skin condition he has. However, he assured officers he had not fully undressed but kept his half-length robe on while in the water. A video later posted online confirmed the monk’s story.
Following his dip in the sea, the monk headed for Patong and told officers he plans to stay at a temple in the northern district of Thalang, but wasn’t sure which one.
SOURCE: The Phuket News
