New laws eyed after unwanted headlines
The National Office of Buddhism (NOB) is considering seeking a change to the law to make misbehaving monks who have sex and their partners liable for criminal charges, according to Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.
Mr Wissanu said he has learned from the NOB director that the office will ask for existing laws to be tightened to deal with rogue monks following a series of scandals that include embezzlement and sexual relationships.
The latest, an alleged sexual relationship between Pongsakorn Chankaeo, 23, formerly known as Phra Kato, and a 37-year-old woman named “Ms Tong” is considered by many a serious violation warranting expulsion from the monastic community.
Mr Pongsakorn admitted to having sex with the woman over the past three months during a television phone-in. He also admitted to paying her off to end their relationship after she made repeated demands for money.
Mr Wissanu said Thailand once had a law that criminalised monks who have sex as well as their partners. However, it was abolished in 1957 as expulsion from the monastic community and a ban on being ordained for life was considered sufficient punishment, he said.
“It can be reintroduced if the public agrees. It’s the NOB’s job to work on this and they can bring the Culture Ministry and legal specialists on board and decide if they will adopt the old law or write a new one,” he said.
He added that the NOB would make sure Mr Pongsakorn’s misconduct was recorded so he cannot return to monastic life.
Activist Srisuwan Janya recently submitted a petition to the House and Senate committees on religious affairs, urging them introduce further punishment and use the indignation surrounding recent events to improve the existing laws to support and protect Buddhism.