The saga of monk-turned-criminal Wiraphon Sukphon has definitely become one of the most notorious, perplexing and amusing scandals in Thai Buddhism’s history.
The catalyst for the uproar occurred last month when a three-minute-long video appeared on the Internet showing Wiraphon, formerly known as “Luang Pu Nenkham,” on a private jet, sporting a Louis Vuitton bag. Almost immediately a series of stories surrounding Wiraphon’s profligate lifestyle emerged drawing attention from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).
The drama even inspired netizens to create movie memes featuring Wiraphon as the leading character. Below are Coconuts’ list of eight online memes that give the most vivid illustrations of Wiraphon’s life.
8 Iron Man
Right before his private aircraft explodes, Wiraphon manages to save his life and Louis Vutton bag by leaping out of his jet at the last minute. Wiraphon ‘s falling captures the attention of Tony Stark. Stark asks his personal assistant Jarvis what the falling objects are and learns that they were a monk and a bag. Rushing to save Wiraphon’s life, Stark is stunned when Wiraphon asked him to save his posh bag as well.
[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_original”,”fid”:”16850″,”attributes”:{“alt”:””,”class”:”media-image”,”height”:”923″,”style”:”display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;”,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”width”:”500″}}]]
7 Dragon Ball Z
Kuririn, played by Wiraphon in this version, collects the full set of Namekian Dragon Balls, and is therefore able to ask for one wish from the dragon goddess. Wiraphon asks for was a full set of all high-end gadgets, cars and accessories.
[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_original”,”fid”:”16851″,”attributes”:{“alt”:””,”class”:”media-image”,”height”:”883″,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”width”:”500″}}]]
6 Harry Potter
In the last war between Harry Potter and black magic witch Lord Voldemort, played by Wiraphon, Potter casts a bring-back-to-Thailand spell against the fugitive. But Potter’s magic, like the DSI’s sleuthing, is too weak to achieve his end.
[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_original”,”fid”:”16852″,”attributes”:{“alt”:””,”class”:”media-image”,”height”:”1113″,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”width”:”500″}}]]
5 Life of Pi
In this rendition, Wiraphon is stuck on a boat with his close aide Sukhum Wongprasit after his jet crashes into the ocean. The direction in which Wiraphon’s life is heading depends heavily on how effective Sukhum can help defend him.
[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_original”,”fid”:”16853″,”attributes”:{“alt”:””,”class”:”media-image”,”height”:”736″,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”width”:”500″}}]]
4 The Lone Ranger
Wiraphon, clad in Native American costume with a Louis Vuitton brooch on his head, is the lone ranger. The hidden meaning of this poster is the movie has no date scheduled for Thailand’s screening. If interested, viewers are suggested to watch it in France or America, where Wiraphon is supposed to be taking refuge.
[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_original”,”fid”:”16854″,”attributes”:{“alt”:””,”class”:”media-image”,”height”:”713″,”style”:”display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;”,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”width”:”500″}}]]
3 Man of Steel
Wiraphon, as the Kryptonian Kal-El, is taken to jail by a squad of Thai police. However, in this version Wiraphon does not have the “Superman” power to resist them because, in reality, he is merely a “Man of Straw.”
[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_original”,”fid”:”16855″,”attributes”:{“alt”:””,”class”:”media-image”,”height”:”443″,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”width”:”600″}}]]
2 World War Z
The Apocalypse arrives and three major cities – Rome, Paris and Rio –are coming to an end. Looking for a safe place to take a refuge, former UN staff member Gerry Lan, played by Brad Pitt, believes that Thailand may be a good option. He is disappointed to see Thailand, a Buddhist country, is facing a zombie-like epidemic as well. The movie ends as Wiraphon flees to another country in his private jet.
[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_original”,”fid”:”16856″,”attributes”:{“alt”:””,”class”:”media-image”,”height”:”962″,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”width”:”500″}}]]
1 Catch Me If You Can
This “Catch Me If You Can” poster tops Coconuts’ list of Wiraphon memes. It truly reflects the real situation that Wiraphon is in – being hunted by the DSI. The movie will reveal how long, or if ever, the Vuitton-toting criminal can remain in America before being charged and expedited back to Thailand.
[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_original”,”fid”:”16857″,”attributes”:{“alt”:””,”class”:”media-image”,”height”:”720″,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”width”:”500″}}]]
Photo: Tadtorcadcad, 9GAG in Thai
Reader Interactions