Gen Prawit: No one dares to seek Royal endorsement while there is still conflict



BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said today (Tuesday) that he believes no one dares to seek Royal endorsement for the appointment of Somdet Chuang as the new supreme patriarch while are still conflicting opinions about his appointment.

General Prawit’s above statement was in response to the demand of the so-called Sangha and Buddhists Alliance of Thailand that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha immediately seek the Royal approval of the acting supreme patriarch’s promotion as the supreme patriarch.

The deputy prime minister said that it was the discretion of the prime minister to decide whether to seek the Royal approval or not from His Majesty the King.

However, he said he believes the prime minister would rather not so long as there is still a conflict over the matter.

For the other four demands of the monk group which include the declaration of Buddhism as the official religion in the new charter and the government’s non-interference in monastic affairs, General Prawit said he would accept them for consideration.

Justice Minister Paiboon Kumchaya, meanwhile, called upon all parties concerned to follow the law. He questioned whether monks themselves should show respect for the law or not while army troopers follow the law during their confrontation with the protesting monks at Phutthamonthon Buddhist Park on Monday.

The national police chief, Pol Gen Chakthip Chaichinda, said police would look into details of the monks’ gathering Monday to find out whether the monks had broken any law and would take legal actions accordingly.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/151176

-- Thai PBS 2016-02-17

Can the Prime Minister of Italy choose the next Pope? Under consideration? Surely politics and religion are different.

^Not here they ain't. Cosy little relationship between militarism / fascism and Buddhism.

Feels like I am living in the middle ages.

Can the Prime Minister of Italy choose the next Pope? Under consideration? Surely politics and religion are different.

Sure but what about corrupt abbots and monasteries that help with fraud.. you know the one I am talking about. Religion should not be above the law. I am in agreement that the PM should not be able to choose the next religious leader.

When they say that they don't want interference with monastic law, what do they mean. If it means they are exempt from audits and accounting and criminal cases I am all against it.

Can the Prime Minister of Italy choose the next Pope? Under consideration? Surely politics and religion are different.

Archbishop of Canterbury

"Since the English Reformation, the Church of England has been more explicitly a state church and the choice is legally that of the Crown; today it is made by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister, who receives a shortlist of two names from an ad hoc committee called the Crown Nominations Commission."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archbishop_of_Canterbury

Edited February 17, 201610 yr by Route21mkII

It is the middle ages for Thailand as today they still are feudal families, armed groups and the religious factions all struggle for more power and a better spot at the trough of riches and power in Thai society .

The words of Democracy and Buddhism are just hollow expressions wheeled around like swords by those in power, To control and appease lay persons and citizen alike. Long forgotten are the actual concepts, responsibilities and enlightenment that these fine beliefs actually bestow on those who choice to live their life by the true principles by these higher concepts.

Edited February 17, 201610 yr by northernboy

Monks should respect the law said the Justice Minister. Buddha Issara didn't. Didn't hear him said that to him and his rightist followers.

It is the middle ages for Thailand

This is an unjust slur on the Middle Ages.

Monks should respect the law said the Justice Minister. Buddha Issara didn't. Didn't hear him said that to him and his rightist followers.

At least he understands that he would be sent into exile for putting up a tainted nomination if that nominated one was found guilty of crimes. the face loss would be irreparable.

So that is why all those monks were sitting around that flying saucer Thought we were being invaded.

Monks should respect the law said the Justice Minister. Buddha Issara didn't. Didn't hear him said that to him and his rightist followers.

At least he understands that he would be sent into exile for putting up a tainted nomination if that nominated one was found guilty of crimes. the face loss would be irreparable.

I hope that was the honest reason and not because of politicalization of religion. Lines are bit blury now that opponents of both political divide have stated their positions.

Govt will not interfere with selection of next Supreme Patriarch



BANGKOK, 17 February 2016 (NNT) - Justice Minister Gen Paiboon Koomchaya has insisted that the government will not interfere with the Supreme Sangha Council (SSC)’s selection of the next Supreme Patriarch.

The Justice Minister claimed both monks and laymen must abide by the law, and legal action will be taken indiscriminately against any offenders.

Former member of the National Reform Council (NRC) Paiboon Nititawan has filed a complaint through the Office of the Ombudsman against the SSC and the National Office of Buddhism for failing to comply with the late Supreme Patriarch’s ruling to defrock Phra Dhamma Chaiyo in 1999.

According to Mr. Paiboon, the SSC nullified the ruling through its February 10 announcement that the decision to strip the Dhammakaya abbot of his monkhood 17 years ago is no longer effective. The former NRC member is urging the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate the SSC's decision not to honor the late Supreme Patriarch’s final judgment.

Meanwhile, Director-General of the Department of Religious Affairs Kritsayapong Siri spoke of the recent confrontation between monks and soldiers that he preferred the term 'religious gathering' over 'demonstration.' He added that it will be up to the Buddhist clergy to decide whether the gathering was appropriate.


-- NNT 2016-02-17

legal action will be taken indiscriminately against any offenders.

Except for anyone associated with the Junta/NCPO who is exempt from prosecution for any offense.

They routinely seek Royal endorsement over far more controversial affairs of the state. What's so damning about this one?

They routinely seek Royal endorsement over far more controversial affairs of the state. What's so damning about this one?

Well according to some people {Issara}, the abbot of the ufo temple is the friend of Thaksin and the ssc nominee for Supreme Patriarch. The yellow shirt alligned government can't have Thaksin's monk chums running the religion. Simply put.

"he preferred the term 'religious gathering' over 'demonstration." Kind of like Obama calling everything, "work place violence" instead of, "Islamic terrorism."