Lampang—The owner of a restaurant in Ko Kha district apologized to Buddhists after a video showed a musician at the restaurant dressed like a monk behaving inappropriately on stage. They believe it was only entertainment for customers with no intention to disrespect religion. Meanwhile, police from Mueang Lampang station inspected the popular pub, and the district chief has filed one more charge.
On 14 September 2026 in Lampang province, reporters reported that at 10:00 p.m. on 14 Sep 2026, they visited a restaurant in Ko Kha district after a video surfaced of a singer performing at the restaurant draped in an orange cloth resembling a monk’s robe and making inappropriate gestures during the show. The clip circulated widely on social media, causing discomfort among many Buddhists. The Lampang Provincial Office of Buddhism is having its legal team review whether this conduct violates any laws.
Mr. Big, 37, and Mr. Joe, 40, the restaurant owners, apologized to society and Buddhists for the discomfort caused by the viral clip shared on social media. They explained the restaurant did not intend for such an incident to occur. The singer in question is not a regular performer but plays occasionally, and the acts are not always disclosed to the restaurant beforehand. Previously, the singer often dressed in humorous cosplay to entertain patrons who come to drink and dine. The owners believe the singer had no intent to disrespect religion but only to entertain customers. The restaurant also posted an apology on its Facebook page.
Meanwhile, at a well-known entertainment venue in Mueang district, Lampang province, facing similar controversy, the director of the Lampang Provincial Office of Buddhism filed a complaint with police to prosecute the singer and the venue. This followed a video showing the singer wearing an orange cloak like a monk’s robe and carrying a large amulet resembling a traditional phallic charm, dancing inappropriately on stage in a manner mocking a famous former monk who was in the news. Reporters tried to contact the singer’s team leader, but they were initially unavailable for comment.
At 11:30 p.m. today, Lt. Col. Thani Tanjankul, deputy superintendent of the Mueang Lampang Police Station, led patrol officers to inspect the entertainment venue. Initially, no illegal activity was found during the inspection.
Reporters also noted that, besides the director of the Lampang Provincial Office of Buddhism submitting documents to file complaints against the singer and venue at Mueang Lampang police station for religious insult and impersonation of a monk, the Mueang Lampang district chief also instructed district officials to file an additional charge against the singer for performing acts deemed disgraceful or obscene in public.