Monks wear orange PPE suits in Thailand
We’ve recently seen monks wearing white Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suits while performing funeral services at Intaram Temple.
Whilst writing their titles onto their clothing with a marker helped attendants differentiate between monks and the undertaker, it’s no doubt that colour-specific PPE suits would’ve made it even easier for audience members to tell who’s who. Well, now we have them.
Here’s what their new gear looks like and what the netizens are saying about their getup.
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New orange PPE suits for Thai monks at the frontline
On 10th August 2021, Facebook user Phra Sanitwong Charoenrattawong shared that there are new PPE suits for monks who are working on the frontlines. And yes, they’re orange.
Image credit: Phra Sanitwong Charoenrattawong
In the post, Phra Sanitwong – who’s also a monk from Dhammakaya Temple in Pathum Thani – stated there are three types of the PPE kits:
- Suits for those with low blood pressure
- Suits for surgical procedures
- Suits that provide general protection from the Covid-19 virus
Phra Sanitwong also encouraged people to help find and donate protective equipment to temples.
Images adapted from: Phra Sanitwong Charoenrattawong
Now that there are orange PPE suits, it’ll no longer be difficult for us to spot the monks at religious events, reported Thaihitz on 11th August 2021.
Netizens say they resembles ‘Among Us’ characters IRL
Ever since the story came out, “before” and “after” photos of monks in white PPE suits and orange PPE suits have been circulating the internet.
Image credit: Gthai movie เกย์เว้ยเฮ้ย
And the netizens seem to have a lot to say.
Screenshot: Gthai movie เกย์เว้ยเฮ้ย
Translation: Carrots now have legs. Yay!
While some say the monks now look like walking carrots, others are saying that they are literally ‘Among Us’ characters IRL. Tbh, we can’t help but agree.
Screenshot: Gthai movie เกย์เว้ยเฮ้ย
Translation: Wait, what?!
With that said, this netizen suggested that the monks add something to the PPE suit to make themselves more recognisable as religious figures.
Screenshot: Gthai movie เกย์เว้ยเฮ้ย
Translation: Tbh, it’s hard to know that they’re monks without the labels. It’d be good if they wear something that’s symbolic of monks.
Monks adapt to the pandemic
In these unprecedented times, not only are we learning to live with the “New Normal”, but so are entities at religious sites who are doing their best to maintain important practices, such as funerals, during the pandemic.
We hope that communities are able to help support the monks by donating more PPE kits.
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Cover images adapted from (L-R): Thaihitz, Phra Sanitwong Charoenrattawong
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