Database to weed out fake, rogue monks

Smart ID cards to help aid temple audits

Prime Minister’s Office Minister Ormsin Chivapruck has called on the National Office of Buddhism (NOB) to create a cleric database to complement the government’s smart ID cards for monks and temple auditing initiatives.

“It is imperative and a priority to have a database on monks that covers every province, and which encompasses number, rank, and other important information, to check the backgrounds of each monk,” he said.

Despite already having paper-based identification documents for monks, data and accessibility need to be changed, he said.

“When we enter a 13-digit identification, the record should show up with a name and a criminal record if any. This will be effective for management,” he told 200 civil servants from the NOB yesterday at a seminar titled “Integrated Public Communications Under Thailand 4.0 Policy”.

Mr Ormsin said a database will speed up the existing slow process of verifying information about monks and could address the issue of fake and rogue monks. A database needs to be created first and other features could then be added.

“As of now, there are about 300,000 monks in Thailand. A database doesn’t have to be completed in one go. We can start with high-ranking monks first and lower ranking monks can be added later,” he said. A database would have been useful with regard to a scandal that broke in June, connected to NOB projects which sparked an examination into monks’ and temples’ spending, he added.

As a result, all temples are required to submit financial reports.

Of 36,000 temples officially recognised in Thailand, 96% have already submitted reports; however the information is not complete since some might not have proper knowledge of accountancy, he said.

He expects all financial statement information to be completed within three years, adding that the smart ID cards for monks and temple auditing initiatives are endorsed by the Ministry of Interior and Sangha Supreme Council.

Sukpichai Chaovakul, NOB’s public relations chief, said the proposed database is already under development. Currently, NOB has a basic database on monks but it is lacking in information and speed.

He said if there is a comprehensive database, authorities could check on and verify each monk easily and timely if an issue arises.

He said the database will benefit the NOB and civil servants since they will have easier access to greater information and could use it to inform and assist the public.

Mr Ormsin also urged NOB officials and those in other government agencies to optimise technology and innovation in media to complement their work in disseminating news and important information related to their agencies to the public.

Civil servants need to adapt and equip themselves with new media and media literacy, he added.