Gay monks rampant in North (part 2, final)

Phra Payom says that on his travels of the nation's temples, he has found most gay and kathoey monks in the North, though he has no idea why. The South has very few, while other regions contain a mix.

The Northeast has many gay and kathoey monks whose heart is in it, but who have yet to master the graceful body movements, he says.

'They are an eyesore. They want to be gay, but haven't worked out how to do it yet.'

But gay monks are not confined to the young. Some temples have gay monks aged in their 50s and 50s, who have been in the monkhood 10 years or more. If gay monks are caught doing anything naughty, they can be chased out.

'However, they are often clever at arranging flowers, speak nicely to people, and can help senior monks putting on functions, so they end up staying.'

Phra Payom says Thai television soap operas, which often include gay characters, offer role models to Thai youngsters, and might explain the increase in gays and kathoey.

He suggests television stations show social responsibility by airing viewer warnings after raunchy TV soaps have aired, to remind viewers about Buddhist moral precepts, and the importance of doing the right thing.

'Chasing other people's partners and going crazy over sex [as the characters do in soaps] can lead to confusion overs sexual identity,' he says.

He also urges temples to impose tougher screening on young men who want to be monks - even if they end up losing supporters as a result - and more guidance from state cultural watchdogs.