BANGKOK, 17 February 2016 – Justice Minister Gen Paiboon Koomchaya has insisted that the government will not interfere with the Supreme Sangha Council (SSC)’s selection of the next Supreme Patriarch.
The Justice Minister claimed both monks and laymen must abide by the law, and legal action will be taken indiscriminately against any offenders.
Former member of the National Reform Council (NRC) Paiboon Nititawan has filed a complaint through the Office of the Ombudsman against the SSC and the National Office of Buddhism for failing to comply with the late Supreme Patriarch’s ruling to defrock Phra Dhamma Chaiyo in 1999.
According to Mr. Paiboon, the SSC nullified the ruling through its February 10 announcement that the decision to strip the Dhammakaya abbot of his monkhood 17 years ago is no longer effective. The former NRC member is urging the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate the SSC’s decision not to honor the late Supreme Patriarch’s final judgment.
Meanwhile, Director-General of the Department of Religious Affairs Kritsayapong Siri spoke of the recent confrontation between monks and soldiers that he preferred the term ‘religious gathering’ over ‘demonstration.’ He added that it will be up to the Buddhist clergy to decide whether the gathering was appropriate.
