Bangkok: "Suchart," Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, has announced plans to establish a religious bank to separate the personal assets of monks from those of temples. This initiative aims to address the crisis of faith among Buddhists and will involve a clear inspection unit. The Minister is preparing to discuss these plans with the Sangha Supreme Council to propose laws for specific oversight.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Suchart Tancharoen, who has extensive political experience and has served as a minister multiple times, highlighted the urgent need to resolve the crisis within the Sangha. He pointed out that the crisis stems from issues related to temple assets and the behavior of senior monks who receive large donations. Mr. Suchart emphasized the importance of managing temple assets systematically and ensuring proper oversight to prevent the crisis from worsening.
Mr. Suchart also mentioned the necessity of making Buddhists understand the regulations concerning financial matters within temples. He acknowledged that despite existing regulations, violations still occur, leading to sadness and discomfort among Buddhists. He stressed the urgency of addressing these issues to prevent further impact on society and the public. The Minister plans to engage with the Supreme Sangha Council to set new rules or even establish a Buddhist bank to manage assets directly, akin to the Islamic Bank of Thailand.
The Minister reiterated the importance of swift action and promised periodic reports to keep the public informed as steps are taken to resolve this pressing issue.