A friend of mine and I were just chatting online about the pictures I have posted and he suggested that I create a photo category for all of the pictures of monk novices.
After all, seeing the monks in the streets and at the temples are one of my favorite things about this part of the world, and it's not just because they are photogenic. Most all Thai (and Lao) boys spend at least some time as a monk novice, and it seems to me that it teaches them a lot about being peaceful and kind and non-materialistic. I think it makes a big impact on the society as a whole.
The temples also serve another worthwhile purpose. In the rural areas, they function as schools for the poorer boys. A poor family will send their son to the temple to get an education and to be housed and fed.
In any case, the idea for a monk novice gallery is a good one, so here are the pictures of monk novices taken in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia.
