A conflict in the Thai Buddhist temple in Waalwijk has placed the Dutch chairman, Toine van Beek, under heavy criticism from Thailand. The Thai embassy in The Hague demands his resignation, while Van Beek is accused of fraud and sales plans. The conflict, sparked by financial reforms, led to smear campaigns and legal action. Van Beek is now seeking legal protection in the Netherlands and Thailand.
After two years, a festival can finally be held again in the Buddharama Temple in Waalwijk, a large meeting center of mainly Thai people in the Netherlands and Belgium. Make a note of April 16 in your diary.
More abuse victims of Buddhist monks report
The affair surrounding the sexual abuse by the Buddhist monk Mettavihari is expanding, NOS writes. The followers of the Thai monk, who died in 2007, now know of 21 cases of abuse. These took place not only in Waalwijk, where Mettavihari started his career in the Netherlands, but also in many other places in the country.
