I saw these guys (http://phuket-post.com/article/phuket-local-news/chiang-rai-to-phuket-in-99-days/) back in Jan when i was on my road trip with my family up in northern Thailand.
I had no idea they were on such a long journey.
Today they made it to Phuket, over 2000 kms walked with probably another 700 to go to the Malaysian border.

Looks like they're gonna hang around a few days.
65 Monks
Today is their 99th day of their trek
Temps between 4 C to over 100F (today is in the 90's)
Blessing people along the way and getting their daily food handouts.
Monks eat once a day only and have 256 things they are not allowed to do including being alone with a woman or even sitting next to one in public.

I took a picture of them when i saw them up north. I'll see if i can dig it up.

Here it is, from my camera: http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg201/fiddleheadpa/IMG_1965-1.jpg

I saw these guys (http://phuket-post.com/article/phuket-local-news/chiang-rai-to-phuket-in-99-days/) back in Jan when i was on my road trip with my family up in northern Thailand.
I had no idea they were on such a long journey.
Today they made it to Phuket, over 2000 kms walked with probably another 700 to go to the Malaysian border.

Looks like they're gonna hang around a few days.
65 Monks
Today is their 99th day of their trek
Temps between 4 C to over 100F (today is in the 90's)
Blessing people along the way and getting their daily food handouts.
Monks eat once a day only and have 256 things they are not allowed to do including being alone with a woman or even sitting next to one in public.

I took a picture of them when i saw them up north. I'll see if i can dig it up.

Here it is, from my camera: http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg201/fiddleheadpa/IMG_1965-1.jpg



No Women? No wonder there are no smiles in this group.

barefoot even

Ultralight. Nice robes too. So what's that they're carrying over their right shoulders?

Ultralight. Nice robes too. So what's that they're carrying over their right shoulders?

nerf bats?

Ultralight. Nice robes too. So what's that they're carrying over their right shoulders?

Blow up dolls. Pretty sure they aren't on the list.

Ultralight. Nice robes too. So what's that they're carrying over their right shoulders?

I believe that is the combination sleeping pad/meditation mat over their right shoulder.
The bucket in their left hand is what people put the food into when they donate food.
Yes, barefoot always (I've seen Hindu Babas or Holy men in the Himalayas at 11,000' barefoot too)

Funny my hiking buddy Rainman (from VT) was over here a few years ago and said: "Those dudes in the orange suits got it made, they just walk around and everyone puts food in their bucket"
But he didn't realize they can only eat once a day (and no women)

Some people in the third world put us to shame. What we do for "recreation" is their day to day life. Hiking? Camping? Cooking over an open fire?

Monks eat once a day only and have 256 things they are not allowed to do including being alone with a woman or even sitting next to one in public.


what a fantastic way to live! we should all aspire to such hedonism

what a fantastic way to live! we should all aspire to such hedonism

Some of us live that way unintentionally :p

I watched a monk back I 1968 pour gas all over himself and light himself up and he never flinched or cried out in pain, they are very dedicated people.
I do respect thier chioce of life at least you never hear of them molesting anyone.
but as for myself I would not be strong enough to be that dedicated.
to give up all normal life, completely, some hike over the himalayas to escape from China, and keep thier dedeication to thier beliefs.
the best I can do is become a hermit living with out electricity and using a solar panel for some basic small things like the internet and no tv I guess I'm not giving up much at all when you see them and how they push themselves.

I have a good friend who turned Monk here in Thailand.
I went to see him earlier this year.
I can't say he seemed any happier.
But i will say that he certainly thinks he is doing something profound that will help him in his next life. And he does seem much more peaceful and content.