Thai monks set to fight revised law

Tensions to rise after change to selection of top post

BANGKOK: Fresh tensions loom in the Thai Buddhist world after legislators amended a law to bypass a monastic council in the appointment of the country’s supreme patriarch.

The change, passed on Thursday by a vote of 182 to nil in Thailand’s appointed assembly, means that newly crowned King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradeba-yavarangkun, and not the council, decides who will be the country’s most senior monk.

It could end the prolonged limbo over Thai Buddhism’s highest authority, but also trigger a divisive backlash from monks.

The amendment, passed swiftly in three consecutive readings, was greeted with anger by members of the Buddhist clergy, some of whom had scuffled with soldiers in February as they protested against state interference in religion.

The governing body of senior monks, the Supreme Sangha Council, said it was not consulted.

Phra Methi Dhammajahn, a vocal monk who is also the deputy rector of Mahachulalongkorn Rajavidyalaya University, wrote in a Facebook posting: “From now, it is Minister Ormsin and the National Legislative Assembly who are responsible for any trouble that may come.”

Ormsin Chivapruck is a minister in the Prime Minister’s Office who oversees the National Office of Buddhism.

Historically, Thai monarchs and monks have drawn authority from each other, though monks largely govern themselves through a hierarchical order that has been criticised for being toothless against transgressions.

Some of the more sensational cases involve monks leading luxurious lifestyles, having sex with women and even dealing in drugs.

Under the previous law, the Supreme Sangha Council also nominates each supreme patriarch. But the post has been empty since the death of the last supreme patriarch in 2013, amid controversy over the council’s current candidate.

Somdet Phra Maha Ratchamang-khlacharn, also known as Somdet Chuang, a 91yearold abbot of an ancient temple in western Bangkok, has been standing in as acting supreme patriarch, and was picked by the council for the formal post early this year.

However, Prime Minister Prayut Chanocha has not submitted his name to the King.