Critics blast govt for caving in to monks

Say NOB chief sent to ministry for ‘conflicts’

The government has come under fire over the removal of Pongporn Pramsaneh from the National Office of Buddhism (NOB) with critics seeing it as the government caving in to pressure from senior monks.

Paiboon Nititawan, a former senator and ex-member of the now-defunct National Reform Council, said the government’s justification for the move — that it was procedural — does not hold water and the transfer has more to do with the ex-NOB chief’s alleged conflict with the clergy.

According to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Pol Lt Col Pongporn was transferred to the PM’s Office Ministry as an inspector-general because he completed his previous assignment.

The premier stressed the move was not meted out as a punishment.

Pol Lt Col Pongporn was appointed as the NOB director in February to replace Phanom Sornsilp.

This followed an unsuccessful attempt by authorities to find and arrest Phra Dhammajayo, the former abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya who is wanted for alleged embezzlement.

During his six months at the NOB, Pol Lt Col Pongporn also looked into the disbursement of temple funds and proposed a law requiring temples to declare their assets and financial records, and make them available for public scrutiny.

In an interview with the Bangkok Post, Mr Paiboon said senior members the Sangha Supreme Council are known to be unhappy with Pol Lt Col Pongporn’s probe.

Twelve temples are accused of siphoning more than 60 million baht from government coffers.

Mr Paiboon said some senior monks have also allegedly lobbied for his transfer through a key member of the cabinet who has close ties with the clergy.

The ex-senator said he is disappointed with Gen Prayut because there is no guarantee the investigation into the temples will continue.

Moreover, the prime minister admitted he was satisfied with Pol Lt Col Pongporn’s work but went ahead with the transfer in less than a month.

“It’s disappointing there is no assurance from the prime minister that the cases against Wat Phra Dhammakaya and the embezzlement of funds will proceed,” he said.

Santisukh Sobhanasiri, a Buddhism expert, echoed Mr Paiboon’s comment by saying some cabinet ministers seem to be yielding to pressure from senior monks.

He said Pol Lt Col Pongporn is a straightforward official and the fact that he had no ties with the NOB prior to his transfer makes him an ideal candidate to look into the alleged irregularities and clean up the mess.

Phra Khru Palat Kawiwat, deputy secretary general of the Buddhism Protection Centre, yesterday called on the government to seek advice from the SSC before appointing a new NOB director.

He said a new director should show a proper understanding of Buddhism and get on well with the monastic circle and the SSC.

PM’s Office Minister Ormsin Chivapruck said the government still has time to vet candidates to succeed Pol Lt Col Pongporn, whose new job as the inspector-general has a wider scope of responsibilities.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Kreangam said Pol Lt Col Pongporn has completed his assignment and deserves an appropriate position.

He said that as an inspector-general, Pol Lt Col Pongporn will be in charge of looking at bigger-picture problems plaguing temples.

It will also put him in line for promotion as a permanent secretary, he said.

Justice Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana said the transfer will not affect the ongoing investigation into the alleged embezzlement of temple funds, contrary to some public claims.