As part of a wider campaign to install a return to traditional Cambodian culture and values, HE has ordered that more respect be paid to monks.

February 5, 2018
Monks to sit higher at events
From now on, organisers must arrange seating at events so that Buddhist monks sit higher than the people and the king, according to Prime Minister HE.

Speaking at a Council of Ministers meeting on Friday, Mr HE called for greater respect of Buddhist monks, saying that they must sit at least 20 centimetres higher than the people at places and events attended by monks.

“The king’s seat is a bit lower than the Buddhist monks’ seats. I am sure the king himself is not jealous of that, given the king also worships the monks,” he said. “We do this to show our respect to the role of Buddhist monks in our society.

“The Ministry of Cults and Religion must issue instructions about the ceremonial way of arrangement to show greater respect to Buddhist monks, given the fact that Buddhism is the religion of the state as written in our constitution,” he added.

Khim Sorn, chief monk of Phnom Penh and chief of the secretariat of the Mohanikaya Monk Order, said it was appropriate because all countries that respected Buddhism, including both Myanmar and Thailand, always arranged it so monks sat higher than the people...
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/50106535/mo ... er-events/

Higher than the king? Wow. I know little about Buddhism really but that surprises me.

So where exactly does the king sit in the pecking order? I do know it is relatively low, but did not expect that. And where does HS fit - above or below the monks?

Will there be a corresponding increase in the standard of the monks? They do seem to appear a lot in the press doing things they shouldn't, and also protesting against the government on occasion as well

Hello. I'm out of respect. Can I order some, please?

Yes? Great!

I'll take greater respect for monks, please. Yes, that's the one.

Hmm the WiFi is much better up here!

Generally they sit on podiums, so surely this is already taken care of. The last time I went it seemed to be mostly young lads, I can't really take choir boys seriously. No gravitas. What happens if they're on the back of your bike?

This has more to do with the authorities getting yet another section of society onside I'd say. More signs of respect and some generous donations to pagodas.

But, that doesn't mean that this is not part of a greater plan for increased (outward) morality in society - respect for religion, tradition, and law and order - as the OP suggests.

It is true that if you look at a number of events that seem disconnected, you can join the dots, as another poster said somewhere. There's been the reprimands over Cambodian celebrities wearing "sexy"clothes, the famous dirty-dancing arrests, morals charges against politicians allegedly involving mistresses and prostitutes, the law against surrogate mothers, the national day of prayer and unity held at Angkor Wat in December, and now a public announcement calling for more respect for monks and religion. And I'm sure there's more.
There's a clear tendency toward rejection of western values and a return to a more traditional Cambodia. Interesting that Thailand and Myanmar are used as benchmark examples for Cambodia in matters of religion.
We will see.

respect is earned not ordained

bolueeleh wrote: ↑Mon Feb 12, 2018 5:48 am respect is earned not ordained

Agree, but appearances of respect can be ordered.