Bangkok: Minister Suchart Tancharoen has disclosed discussions with the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) aiming to establish a specialized working group to oversee temple funds and address legal loopholes to safeguard Buddhism.
According to Thai News Agency, Minister Suchart, who is attached to the Prime Minister's Office, has also engaged in talks with the National Office of Buddhism (NOB) regarding the current issues faced by monks. The discussions included proposals to enhance the management of religious properties with stricter measures. One suggestion involved the concept of a Buddhist Bank, though legal constraints currently impede its establishment. Instead, the plan is to involve a government bank in the operations or create a special working group to support this mission without founding a new bank.
Moreover, the proposal highlights the need to protect well-behaved monks and address issues with those who act improperly. However, existing legal gaps and the limitations of the National Legislative Assembly's (NLA) powers hinder effective implementation. There is a call for a review of laws protecting Buddhism to adequately address emerging issues, such as inappropriate behavior by monks or external problems caused by women. Consideration is needed for amending specific regulations and laws, possibly imposing criminal liability in some instances. Furthermore, restructuring the NLA is suggested to tackle the challenges facing monks and Buddhism, with a focus on including capable personnel in organizational development.
Minister Suchart expressed his concerns about the ongoing crisis within the Sangha, which is unsettling Buddhists. He emphasized his commitment, as the supervisor of the DLA, to evaluating the proposals, especially regarding laws and regulations, to ensure they are suited to the current situation.