BANGKOK, Thailand – Suchart Tancharoen, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, revealed that he has held discussions with the National Office of Buddhism regarding the current issues involving Buddhist monks.
He emphasized the need for stricter measures to safeguard temple assets and proposed alternatives to the long-considered idea of establishing a “Buddhist Bank”, which still faces legal obstacles. Instead, he suggested inviting state-owned banks to participate or forming a special task force to handle these responsibilities without having to create a new financial institution.
He also proposed measures to protect well-behaved monks and better manage those who misconduct themselves. However, current laws and the limited authority of the National Office of Buddhism hinder effective action in certain cases.
Furthermore, he stressed the need to review the laws protecting Buddhism to ensure they address present-day problems such as incidents involving women causing disturbances in temples, or monks engaging in misconduct but concealing information. Some cases may even warrant criminal liability, he noted.
Minister Suchart also stated that restructuring the National Office of Buddhism should go hand in hand with broader efforts to solve problems within the monastic community. He emphasized the importance of involving capable personnel in the organization’s development.
“We are currently facing a crisis in the monastic community, which has deeply unsettled Buddhists across the country. I am very concerned about this matter. As the official overseeing the National Office of Buddhism, I will consider these proposals—particularly those concerning outdated regulations and laws—to ensure they align with the present situation,” Suchart said. (NNT)
