Bangkok  - Disturbed by reports that Thai monks have taken to wearing make-up, carrying pinks purses and other forms of public "homosexual expression," a leading preacher plans to launch a "good manners" course for novices, news reports said Monday.

Senior monk Maha Wudhijaya Vajiramedhi is to introduce Thailand's first etiquette course at the Novice Demonstration School in Chiang Rai province, 600 kilometres north of Bangkok, next month, The Nation newspaper reported.

"If it succeeds in improving their manners, I'll expand the curriculum to other novice schools nationwide," Wudhijaya said.

The well-known Buddhist preacher and writer felt the need for the "good manners" course to counter the negative public image of the monkhood created by unconventional behaviour by some monks and allegations of sexual relations among monks, a sin that is punishable by defrocking.

More than 90 per cent of the Thai population profess to be followers of Buddhism.

"When the Lord Buddha was a prince, he was educated by his royal household. As a result, he had really good manners and was admired," Wudhijaya said. (dpa)