Bangkok: Minister Suchart Tancharoen recently held a meeting with Somdej Wat Traimit to receive strategic advice on addressing ongoing issues within the Sangha community. Emphasizing the urgency of the matter, Minister Suchart highlighted the need for cooperation between the police, the Sangha Council, and the Dhammakaya Institute to restore public faith. He has directed the Office of Buddhism to explore legal actions under Penal Code 206 against Ms. K and stressed the importance of proactive measures, including mandatory financial reporting by temples starting October 1.
According to Thai News Agency, Minister Suchart, who serves as the Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office, visited Wat Traimit Witthayaram Worawihan where he paid respects to Somdet Phra Maha Ratchamangkhun Muni, a key figure in the Sangha Supreme Council. His agenda included discussions with Somdej Phra Buddhacarya (Sanit Chuanpanyo) for guidance in his supervisory role at the National Office of Buddhism.
Following a meeting with Somdej Phra Buddhacarya, Minister Suchart revealed that the Sangha Supreme Council had convened urgently to address misconduct among monks. He underscored the necessity of collaboration between the police and the Office of Buddhism to ensure timely enforcement of regulations and the dissemination of pertinent information to senior monks for appropriate action.
When questioned about the missing monk, Minister Suchart acknowledged that efforts were underway to locate him due to concerns about the negative impact on Buddhism. He also mentioned the ongoing deliberations within the Sangha Supreme Council on amending the Sangha Act of 1962 or drafting new legislation to address misconduct and protect the religion.
Minister Suchart further elaborated on potential legal actions against Ms. K under Section 206 of the Criminal Code. He instructed the Office of Buddhism to expedite their investigation to determine the applicable charges, stressing the urgency of bringing offenders to justice to prevent further erosion of public trust.
Addressing financial governance within temples, Minister Suchart announced that new regulations would require all temples to deposit funds in bank accounts, with cash holdings not exceeding 100,000 baht. These measures aim to prevent financial misconduct and ensure transparency, with mandatory monthly and annual financial reporting set to commence on October 1.
Highlighting the need for a proactive approach, Minister Suchart emphasized the importance of monitoring monk behavior and community interactions to preemptively address issues before they escalate. Although a dedicated task force has yet to be established, he urged local Buddhist offices to investigate monk conduct based on community feedback, reinforcing the commitment to uphold monastic discipline and pursue criminal prosecution if necessary.