Hypocrisy at its finest?

This Chinese New Year, my family and I went to Hatyai, Thailand for a 5 days 4 night trip. The last time we traveled to Hatyai were probably almost a decade ago. I can assure you that Hatyai had since developed to a cleaner city :D

We expect Hatyai will be crowded with tourists and even the local Thais who travelled back to their hometown, since it was Chinese New Year. Before heading there, we were afraid that the restaurants will be fully booked. Worse, the queue at the custom will be horrendous.

Luckily, my sister's boyfriend accidentally bought the wrong train ticket and we arrived evening. *definitely a good tip for people who opt to avoid the long queue at the custom during festive season. One of my friends ended up queuing for almost 3 hours at the custom when she arrived early morning.

Fast forward, we spent the first 3 days visiting the local markets and basically just walked around the town centre. Getting affordable massage and buying tonnes of MYR 2 earrings.

The fourth day , we went to a famous touristy temple. It was super lively with temple performances. The smell of incense and the sound of fire crackers still linger in my mind. More, it was a very smoggy environment - I could barely breath.

There, I witness a super surprising and personally for me, quite hypocritical incident. I was randomly strolling around the temple and as an agnostic myself. I pray to god and wish for peace. When I walked out from the shrines, I saw a banner with

"100 THB- 300 THB to release / free birds" written on it. It is even translated to Mandarin.

I walked over, and it came to my conscience that people are catching birds and put them in a cage to make a business out of it. Charging tourists to release them out of the cage. The birds were chirping perpetually. Assuming that they were quite suffocated as flocks of them were cram in cages.

I completely understand this might be their only source of income. However, what I found hypocrite is the venue this incident took place. How can this even happened in a temple? or why do the temple even allow this?

-practice what you preach-

It was quite a clear cut example of someone profiting off religion. Profiting from people who found peace in practicing religion, people who gave their utmost trust on you.

It makes me wonder what happened to the buddhist teaching of being compassionate to any living being?

Not only the authorities in charge of the temple were responsible towards this action. However, in my humble opinion, people who practice religion should distinctly know what is the root, the main purpose of your religion. More, be aware on who you are giving donations and trust to.

So... what do you guys think about this matter?