Monks, Protesters Block Parliament Gate

[george]

Monks, protesters block Parliament gate

BANGKOK: -- Turmoil broke out in front of Parliament when a group of Buddhist protesters tried to break into the compound of Parliament.

The monks and protesters laid siege at the north gate of Parliament when officials did not allow some 100 monks to go inside to pray at the King Rama VII statue.

The protesters and monks moved to the gate at about 2:45 pm and asked officials to let them inside. The negotiation took about 20 minutes.

After the officials insisted that the monks and protesters could not get inside the compound of Parliament, the protesters shouted abusive words and rock the gate.

The turmoil lasted about 10 minutes and ended after a leader of the protest, Gen Thongchai Kuasakul, chairman of the Network of Buddhist Organisations, asked the protesters to calm down and step away from the gate.

The monks later retreated from the gate and sat in the middle of the road to pray.

-- The Nation 2007-06-11

[astral]

It is not getting any better........................

[Jai Dee]

Protests start to multiply

Thousands of monks and supporters blocked traffic and started a one-day hunger strike in front of Parliament on Monday to demand that Buddhism be declared the national religion in the new constitution. The campaign is the latest in a growing number of protests that the Council for National Security, as the coup leaders now call themselves, are being forced to address.

Last Friday, around 10,000 supporters of Thaksin's ousted administration rallied in front of Bangkok's golden-spired Grand Palace before marching to the army's headquarters to call for army chief and coup supremo Sonthi Boonyaratglin to step down. He has refused.

The estimated 5,000 Buddhist monks and religious activists were trying to influence the 100 members of the Constitutional Drafting Council to amend their draft charter at the last minute. "We will fast and pray for all 100 members to respond to our demand," Thongchai Guasakul, the retired army general who led the rally, told reporters outside parliament.

More from the Bangkok Post here.

[MrSnrang]

Is this Buddhism?

Why do they need to make this the state religion?

If they do, how will this help them?

Isn't the religion already sufficiently endorsed by the government?

Are they aware of the fact that there are thousands of severely pissed-off Muslims in the South?

[SiamSquare123]

my guess is that some people will profit financially if buddhism is the national religion, thus protesters.

[tettyan]

Is this Buddhism?

Why do they need to make this the state religion?

If they do, how will this help them?

Isn't the religion already sufficiently endorsed by the government?

Are they aware of the fact that there are thousands of severely pissed-off Muslims in the South?

Here we go again!

This isn't really about Buddhism. It's about politics.

A certain sect with strong links the TRT is known to be a big player behind the push to make Buddhism the state religion.

This has more to do with de-stabilizing and discrediting the current gov't than the religion itself. In other words, using the name of religion to advance a political agenda. Now where have I seen that happen before? How very un-Buddhist. Shame on them.

[Dakhar]

If a bird poops on your car, do you blame Toxin too, or a falang? Seems to be the popular thing to do.

Things for sure are not getting better... monks tossing rocks?

[hammered]

Is this Buddhism?

Why do they need to make this the state religion?

If they do, how will this help them?

Isn't the religion already sufficiently endorsed by the government?

Are they aware of the fact that there are thousands of severely pissed-off Muslims in the South?

Here we go again!

This isn't really about Buddhism. It's about politics.

A certain sect with strong links the TRT is known to be a big player behind the push to make Buddhism the state religion.

This has more to do with de-stabilizing and discrediting the current gov't than the religion itself. In other words, using the name of religion to advance a political agenda. Now where have I seen that happen before? How very un-Buddhist. Shame on them.

It may also be the only way the governments opponents can be sure of beating the new charter in the referendum. Both sides are willing to pander to ultra-nationalist rightist thinking.

[ColPyat]

Is this Buddhism?

Why do they need to make this the state religion?

If they do, how will this help them?

Isn't the religion already sufficiently endorsed by the government?

Are they aware of the fact that there are thousands of severely pissed-off Muslims in the South?

Here we go again!

This isn't really about Buddhism. It's about politics.

A certain sect with strong links the TRT is known to be a big player behind the push to make Buddhism the state religion.

This has more to do with de-stabilizing and discrediting the current gov't than the religion itself. In other words, using the name of religion to advance a political agenda. Now where have I seen that happen before? How very un-Buddhist. Shame on them.

They are simply out of their mind. They scare people with alleged non existing mass murders of Buddhists in India and other foreign countries, lots of Dhammakaya around.

Sectarian brainwashed fanatics.

[sriracha john]

5,000 x 5,000 = 25,000,000 (peanuts for Mr. Manchester City and his remaining unseized assets)

Chermsak Pintong alleged yesterday that the richest temple in Thailand, Wat Thammakai, the temple that promises the more you give, the greater your kharma, a temple that is naturally a strong backer of Thaksin, is paying monks to disrupt nationwide discussions of the new constitution by persistently demanding Buddhism is made the official religion of Thailand. The hope of the Thaksin supporters is that the proposed new constitution will fail in the referendum if this motion is excluded.

On another note, some speculate that General Sonthi may seek allies in a faction of ex-TRT MPs to protect himself after elections and his retirement, one ex MP he is said to be close to is Somsak Thepsutin.

And guess which prominent TRT member seems not to be facing any charges of corruption in spite of serious allegations in the past?

Somsak Thepsutin.

So TRT is the party involved with the bribing of the monks? Can't say I'm surprised. The earlier report I read listed only a "major political party" (duh, but yet they didn't specifically name it) as the group that was uncovered. The monks were bribed 5,000 baht each to go to Bangkok and disrupt the Constitution-writing process.

Purely speculative on my part, but it can't be good karma to bribe a monk.

[sonnyJ]

Is this Buddhism?

Why do they need to make this the state religion?

If they do, how will this help them?

Isn't the religion already sufficiently endorsed by the government?

Are they aware of the fact that there are thousands of severely pissed-off Muslims in the South?

Here we go again!

This isn't really about Buddhism. It's about politics.

A certain sect with strong links the TRT is known to be a big player behind the push to make Buddhism the state religion.

This has more to do with de-stabilizing and discrediting the current gov't than the religion itself. In other words, using the name of religion to advance a political agenda. Now where have I seen that happen before? How very un-Buddhist. Shame on them.

They are simply out of their mind. They scare people with alleged non existing mass murders of Buddhists in India and other foreign countries, lots of Dhammakaya around.

Sectarian brainwashed fanatics.

Exactly, religious fanatics. Sounds somehow familiar. Any pictures?

Members of Sangha should have a lot less business to interfere to politics than His Majesty does.

Where is this all going?

[asd]

Thousands of Buddhist faithful, including monks, began gathering outside Parliament to reiterate their call for the Constitution Drafting Assembly to stipulate Buddhism as Thailand's national religion in the new constitution.

Thailand's draft constitution has come under fire from Buddhist monks and supporters for not having a clause declaring a national religion for the country.

The coup-appointed Prime Minister, Surayud Chulanont, noted that the issue could cause problems with the upcoming referendum to ratify the proposed constitution.

It would appear that the government has carefully worded the draft constitution to avoid favouring one religion over another.

Tensions and violence in the predominantly Malay Muslim south of the country have led to over 2,000 deaths; having a clause that recognised Buddhism as the country's official religion may further inflame tensions in the region.

http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Demonstrators_...tional_religion

[tettyan]

It may also be the only way the governments opponents can be sure of beating the new charter in the referendum. Both sides are willing to pander to ultra-nationalist rightist thinking.

Unfortunately, that seems to be the only legitimate means of political protest in Thailand.

Anything else will get you tagged with the label "communist" or "anti-Thai."

These people need to grow up.

[Aujuba]

I'd bet that protesting is really exciting for these monks. It beats sitting around a temple out in the middle of nowhere all day. There's definitely new life in Thailand with so many people getting involved in this or that protest. People are more active and they are thinking more about the country they live in, its rights and wrongs. Politicians are going to be able to get away with things so easily anymore. Let the protesting continue. I can't wait for the big colorful Transvestites for Democracy parade to begin or is it for Democrazy.

[sonnyJ]

I'd bet that protesting is really exciting for these monks. It beats sitting around a temple out in the middle of nowhere all day. There's definitely new life in Thailand with so many people getting involved in this or that protest. People are more active and they are thinking more about the country they live in, its rights and wrongs. Politicians are going to be able to get away with things so easily anymore. Let the protesting continue. I can't wait for the big colorful Transvestites for Democracy parade to begin or is it for Democrazy.

1. Where do you see "thinking" in this protest, and what is it?

2. Do you honestly believe every one of these individuals decided to go protest followed by their own thinking process?

3. It should be the time of rains retreat, no?

[sabaijai]

I'd bet that protesting is really exciting for these monks. It beats sitting around a temple out in the middle of nowhere all day. There's definitely new life in Thailand with so many people getting involved in this or that protest. People are more active and they are thinking more about the country they live in, its rights and wrongs. Politicians are going to be able to get away with things so easily anymore. Let the protesting continue. I can't wait for the big colorful Transvestites for Democracy parade to begin or is it for Democrazy.

3. It should be the time of rains retreat, no?

Not yet. Starts 30 July.

[Jai Dee]

Religious Affairs Dept. is looking into monks who are protesting in front of Parliament

The Department of Religious Affairs may take legal action against Buddhist monks who marched into the Parliament yesterday (Jun 11). The monks demand Buddhism to be stated as the national religion of Thailand in the new constitution.

The Director-General of the Department of Religious Affairs, Mr. Preecha Kanthiya, says the department has sent a legal team to investigate the case, and the department will assess how public members view such act conducted by monks.

Mr. Preecha says the department has also informed monk deans in 18 areas, asking them to warn monks of their movements. He says the monks who do not change their behaviors may have to leave or retire from the Buddhist monkhood.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 12 June 2007

[Thaising]

Do these protesting monks still adhered to 227 precepts lay down by Buddha for sangkha? Have I missed something or are they somewhere in Sri Larka?

[Jai Dee]

NLA member says CDA to be responsible if monk rally escalates

A member of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) says the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) must be responsible for the monk rally if it escalates.

NLA Member Woradet Amornworaphiphat (วรเดช อมรวรพิพัฒน์) reveals that the Mahathera (มหาเถระ) Council and senior monks voice support for the designation of Buddhism as the state religion and agree with the monk demonstration. They also call on CDA to seriously consider proposals of the mob and hold a meeting to discuss the matter together.

Mr Woradet says further that CDA’s refusal to pay attention to the mob’s proposals has pressured those who want to see Buddhism as the national religion and might lead to violent incidents.

CDA’s meeting yesterday (June, 12th) discussed amendments to Article 42 of the charter draft which concerns property expropriation.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 13 June 2007