Thais in Laos fined for spreading Buddhism

The 10 Thais arrive at Ban Khok border pass in Uttaradit. (photo by Boonnum Kerdkaew)

UTTARADIT - Ten Thai nationals have been released after being fined 15,000 baht each by Lao authorities for spreading the Buddhist faith and setting up a branch monastery in a village, local authorities said.

The six men and four women were handed over to Thai authorities at a border pass in Ban Khok district after being detained for about a week.

They were arrested on June 15 at a village in Xaiyaburi province for allegedly preaching Buddhism and setting up a monastery.

According to local authorities, the group has affiliations with a Buddhist monastery in Tak province, and their arrest is unlikely to affect Thai-Lao relations.

Laos is a communist state, ruled by the People’s Revolutionary Party.