Reel trouble in Phuket: Man hooked for fishing in temple pond

A recent incident in Phuket has ignited controversy after a Thai man was seen fishing in front of people releasing fish into a temple pond. The event took place at Wat Chaiyathararam (Wat Chalong) in Chalong and was captured in a 29-second video shared by the Facebook page Newshawk Phuket.

In the video, a man dressed in a black shirt can be seen calmly fishing while onlookers are engaged in the traditional fish release ceremony. This behavior has sparked a wave of criticism from the local community, who view it as disrespectful and inconsiderate.

One local resident expressed their frustration, stating, “I even spoke loudly to my friend, but he just sat there quietly, continuing to fish. I don’t know who owns this pond, but fishing right in front of people feeding the fish is too much.” This sentiment highlights the clash between the man’s actions and the traditional values observed at the temple.

The video also features a few other individuals partially obscured by trees, who were presumably also involved in the fish release ceremony. Wat Chaiyathararam, known as Wat Chalong, is a revered site in Mueang Phuket District, and the fish release tradition is a common Buddhist practice meant to make merit and show compassion.

Since its release, the video has garnered significant attention and widespread sharing on social media. The community remains divided, with many condemning the man’s apparent disregard for the temple’s customs and the people participating in the ritual.

The Newshawk Phuket page, which shared the video, captioned it with, “Phuket, this is too much. Fishing right in front of people releasing fish.” The post has triggered a strong reaction from both local and international audiences, highlighting the cultural sensitivity required in communal spaces.

The practice of releasing fish is an important Buddhist tradition, symbolizing compassion and the earning of merit. The man’s behavior has been widely criticized as disrespectful and contrary to these values. Despite the backlash, the individual continued his fishing without apparent concern, further fueling the community’s frustration and calls for greater respect for religious practices and communal norms.