webfact Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 PM to call in dissenting groups of monks for debateBANGKOK, 18 February 2016 (NNT) – Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha is planning to arrange talks between groups of monks and supporters involved in the current religious rift, hoping to bring a peaceful end to the issue.After members of the Sangha and Buddhist Alliance of Thailand (SBAT) recently converged on Phutthamonthon Buddhist Park in Nakhon Pathom to call for the name of the Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand’s nominee for Supreme Patriarch to be proposed for royal endorsement, Prime Minister Prayut expressed worries over the matter. He admitted it is beyond the government’s authority as it has to do with people’s faiths.In a bid to settle the dispute, the premier revealed an idea to organize a debate for SBAT members and those who disapprove of the Supreme Patriarch nominee. He was confident that the issue could be resolved under Buddhist principles and with everyone’s good intentions. In the meantime, he asked for all sides’ cooperation not to hold any demonstrations.Meanwhile, Phra Buddha Issara, who is against SBAT’s movement, has submitted a letter to the National Reform Steering Assembly and the National Legislative Assembly, requesting amendments to laws related to the Thai Sangha, its administration and religious affairs. He also said he would be willing to join the debate hosted by the Prime Minister if invited.-- NNT 2016-02-18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted February 17, 2016 Author Share Posted February 17, 2016 PM warns he may resort to legal approach to end conflict over supreme patriarch’s appointmentBANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha said that he would invite monks of opposing camps to debate on the appointment of a new supreme patriarch in an attempt to end the conflict between the two sides.Speaking from the US where he was attending the US-Asean summit, the prime minister said he didn’t want to see the public to lose faith in Buddhism and he wanted the conflict over supreme patriarch’s appointment to be solved so that it would not spread out.However, he warned that the government would resort to legal means to put an end to the controversy if the opposing monks could not settle the case themselves.While admitting of his concern toward the recent demonstration of a group of monks at Phutthamonthon Buddhist Park to demand immediate Royal endorsement of the appointment of Somdet Phra Maharatchamangalacharn or Somdet Chuang as the new supreme patriarch, the prime minister made clear endorsement of the appointment was the prerogative of His Majesty the King and he didn’t want to bother the King with a conflicting issue.Also, he said that the King was still sick and should not be bothered with the case.Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/151310 -- Thai PBS 2016-02-18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thechook Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 Wouldn't it be better if the government stayed out of religion? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaywalker Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 Wouldn't it be better if the government stayed out of religion? Yes, it would. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBadGeordie Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 Wouldn't it be better if the government stayed out of religion?Wouldn't it be better if they kept religion out of politics and government? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiles Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 It will even be better if farang who think he knows all and like put in his comments on every issue in THAILAND stayed out by keeping his comments to himself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FourAces Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 (edited) Are monks supposed to claim the role as a supreme patriarch's ? Aren't they supposed to be a monastic order begging for their meals and spend most of their time in meditation and study of the Buddhist texts on the way to the path of enlightenment. Is a Supreme monk even supposed to exist according to the Buddhist texts. Would the Buddha be spinning in his non corporeal form, to know this is happening and that the peaceful mediating monk is fighting and demanding immediate Royal endorsement While dragging in the self imposed leader of a military government to intervene Edited February 18, 2016 by FourAces Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smutcakes Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 However much they are trying to ignore it, it is quite obvious that this has become a political issue, with one side seemingly being Red, and one side Yellow to put it in simple terms. The Government should remain impartial and stay out of it. Let them battle it out and what will be will be. The Government getting involved will just lend more calls of lack of impartiality. It may also make many Thai's see what Buddhism in the country has become, and force proper change in it. It is difficult to suggest it is just some rogue monks, when we are talking about warring factions at the very top of the pyramid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surasak Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 It will even be better if farang who think he knows all and like put in his comments on every issue in THAILAND stayed out by keeping his comments to himself. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But if that kind of thing offends you so much, stop posting your opinions here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pimay1 Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 It will even be better if farang who think he knows all and like put in his comments on every issue in THAILAND stayed out by keeping his comments to himself. And do tell what category is your comment in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toybits Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 This sounds sooooo familiar. Doesn't it? Well, it looks like history is about to repeat itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Loh Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 However much they are trying to ignore it, it is quite obvious that this has become a political issue, with one side seemingly being Red, and one side Yellow to put it in simple terms. The Government should remain impartial and stay out of it. Let them battle it out and what will be will be. The Government getting involved will just lend more calls of lack of impartiality. It may also make many Thai's see what Buddhism in the country has become, and force proper change in it. It is difficult to suggest it is just some rogue monks, when we are talking about warring factions at the very top of the pyramid. We can see the politicization of religion playing out as far back as the Asoke Santi involvement with the PAD and with Buddha Issara during the PDRC demonstration. This current situation has both color sides stating their positions and has added fuel to the rift. A debate will not be helpful and none will back off and compromise as both have powerful political support egging them. The debate will even open up more wounds and increase animosity. It is too much of a serious matter to be left to the government without perception of impartiality as you correctly said. The SSC decision must be respected as they have the authority. Any thing less than that will only mean that the order has been compromise and you only open up a pandora box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taff33 Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 Wouldn't it be better if religion stayed out of interfering in government. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sawadee1947 Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 well, talk to them in the same way you are used to do with the press....All these monks are too privileged anyway. They should be controlled by any govt. There job is belief, not political actions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrowsdawdle Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 Wouldn't it be better if the government stayed out of religion? Is it not the other way around, that religion should stay out of government? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweatalot Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 It will even be better if farang who think he knows all and like put in his comments on every issue in THAILAND stayed out by keeping his comments to himself. Why? racist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerojero Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 Debate? Why not straight to Attitude Adjustment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laughing Gravy Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 It will even be better if farang who think he knows all and like put in his comments on every issue in THAILAND stayed out by keeping his comments to himself. And just why is that. It is just an opinion. if you don't agree move on or add your opinion. It is the trouble with so many things here people are not allowed an opinion. the countless times I hear from Thai people and TV members when you don't have the same opinion. You don't understand Thais. Yes I do. I just don't agree with everything. My opinion is if people were allowed to have more of an opinion here then there would be less conflict and a more harmonious place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caveat Emptor Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 Monks with opposing views to be allowed to debate but anyone with opposing views to that of the govt get warned off big time ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesimps Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 Wouldn't it be better if the government stayed out of religion?Wouldn't it be better if they kept religion out of politics and government? Assume you're referring to the Issara creature? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenslegs Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 Is a religious coup d'état possible? Followed by reforms and the promise of an election (of a new supreme patriarch) some time in 2560. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orac Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 Can we request that, in keeping with Thai tradition, one side gets new coloured robes so the general public do not get too confused and can easily sort out which side they are on or else this is just a recipe for disaster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thelonius Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 Wouldn't it be better if the government stayed out of religion? Wouldn't it be better if the military stayed out of government.................................................? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tukkytuktuk Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 Wouldn't it be better to let the populace of Thailand vote on who they want as Supreme Patriarch in a referendum? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Presto Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 (edited) It will even be better if farang who think he knows all and like put in his comments on every issue in THAILAND stayed out by keeping his comments to himself. They are just comments, sometimes wise, sometimes not so wise. The other thing is, the Thai class that seems to be ruling this country, whether yellow red or junta, are not really open to advice, comments, from outside are they? On any subject I might say, flooding for example. And maybe that's why this country does not seem to go forward, but rather backward. Maybe start with allowing people different opinions? Edited February 18, 2016 by Presto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SABloke Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 Wouldn't it be better if the government stayed out of religion? Wouldn't it be better of the leaders of religous institutions DIDN'T commit crimes yet asked official channels to stay out religous affairs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilsonandson Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 Is Thailand's present government copying China's policies in Tibet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZBill Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Debate or attitude adjustment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.png.3b3332cc2256ad0edbc2fe9404feeef0.png)
.thumb.jpg.bc523c85a8d558dbc282dca7a2e602c9.jpg)
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now