Censors ban Thai horror film for ‘insulting Buddhism’ with mom-hugging child monk

The public release of a new Thai horror movie was stopped by censors who reportedly objected to scenes involving a novice monk.

Originally set to hit theaters today, Hoon Payon was denied approval by the Film Censorship Board due to five “inappropriate” scenes, including one involving a novice monk hugging a woman said to be his mother.

Censors ordered Five Star Production to cut or reshoot the five scenes. At issue seem to be those showing the main character, a novice monk, fighting, arguing, and hugging a woman that those who have seen the film said was his mother.

Physical contact between a monk and woman is highly taboo. While Buddhism is not legally enshrined as the official religion of the state, actions deemed to insult it are prohibited by the law. 

The censorship board said the scenes could be “divisive” and…