Taken from the UK's Daily Mail - the paper that obviously doesn't know the difference from old news, and new news.

"The Thai government was today investigating claims that Buddhist monks have broken their celibacy vows by flirting with women online.

The supposedly ultra-faithful men are strictly forbidden from engaging in any sexual behaviour, which in practice means any contact with women.

So allegations that some of the followers have been flouting this rule and ?chatting up? women on social networking site hi5 has sparked a huge outcry in the deeply religious country.

Scroll down for more...

Flirting: Buddhist monks in Thailand have been accused of 'chatting up' women online

Even the comments of one user - "Monk Chat" - who reportedly sent a message to a woman that said "I miss you? was seen by many as a massive affront to Buddhist tradition in Thailand.

Thai society expects most Buddhist males to spend at least two weeks in the monkhood during their lives to show their devotion to the religion.

And a conservative public watchdog a group - the Network of Civilians to Protect the Nation, the Religion and the King - which reported the latest ?violation? keeps a watchful eye on monks flouting the bans on sex or drinking.

The Thai government are now seeking to keep tabs on the monks themselves, it emerged today.

"We are looking for a way to monitor the use of the Web site by monks," said Chakrapob Penkair, a minister attached to the Prime Minister's office.

He also asked other Thai Internet users to look out for monks conducting themselves in an unseemly manner online.

"We urge people who use the site to tell monks to leave," he said. "Other users need to show them that it is inappropriate for monks to chat with women online."

Last year, the Thai government blocked access to the YouTube video site for several months in a dispute about content deemed insulting to Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

When asked about the possibility of blocking hi5, Mr Chakrapob said the government needed to thoroughly consider its options because "the site is used as a database for many people and can be useful for many purposes."

The operators of California-based hi5 claim it is the No. 1 social networking site in more than 15 countries, including Thailand.

However, they have so far failed to comment.

A senior Culture Ministry official, Ladda Thangsupachai, said monks should not be banned from using the Internet because they can use it to teach Buddhist philosophy to the young.

"Cyberspace can be very useful for monks," he said. "But it's wrong to use it to pick up girls."

ok thats just plain odd interesting but odd

common news in thai press.

there were interesting details, such as : they were putting on wigs and clothes to appear normal on their WEBCAMS! ha ha hah ha.

I think it's quite a serious matter. If you consider the importance and significance of a Thai male entering the Sangha, social conduct is extremely important. Monks are trained as novices to conduct themselves in a certain way, especially in public. There is even a code of conduct that governs the way in which a monk behaves when he is on alms round. The matter of monks percieved as behaving inappropriately could have repercussions, for the sangha. given the importance of Buddhism in Thailand it could become a serious problem.

It is a serious issue, but it's a cyber extension of the problems that already exist in the Sangha.