Kalayanamit temple abbot may face charge of demolishing historical buildings



BANGKOK: -- A temple abbot may face charge of destroying archaeological buildings after the Fine Arts Department filed another lawsuit against all those who destroy them.

According to director general of the department Mr Borvornvate Rungrujee, the charge was filed against all those involved, including person who ordered the demolition.

He didn’t identify name but the temple abbot is the person who could give such order.

The charge was filed at Bupparam police station on Tuesday after the demolition of century old buildings were still demolished despite of the existing signs put up by the Fine Arts Department banning demolition, and prior approval has to be sought from the department.

Following the filing, two construction migrant workers were arrested. But one was freed in bail, but another, a Laotian, is still detained because he had no entry document.

The director general said the department had filed 15 legal cases against the temple for demolition of archeological buildings in the temple over the past 10 years. These buildings were built during King Rama III reign.

Ten cases were rejected by the state prosecutor with reason that the abbot unintentionally demolished them.

According to Bangkok Post, The temple has demolished 22 historical items and has renovated five other historical items without asking permission from the department.

The department has regularly notified the abbot that no demolition or renovation works can take place affecting historical structures without first seeking the department’s permission.

The abbot was also invited for talk on proper demolition in order to keep its archaeological value, but was ignored and never offered cooperation, he said.

The buildings have been registered as historical buildings since 1947.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/kalayanamit-temple-abbot-may-face-charge-of-demolishing-historical-buildings


-- Thai PBS 2015-03-19

Who need ISIS, when you have Thai monks??

Abbots and monks - a law to themselves.

Ten cases were rejected by the state prosecutor with reason that the abbot unintentionally demolished them.

According to this "logic" every murderer gets away by claiming he unintentionally killed the victim. What is required to become a state prosecutor- a degree in traditional dancing and mor lam?