Scholar backs tighter curbs on temples

A legal scholar is calling for tighter financial regulation of Buddhist temples, arguing senior monks hold power equivalent to high-ranking government officials yet remain exempt from anti-corruption scrutiny.

- CHAIRITH YONPIAM

Asst Prof Krich Pooyeeyama from Thammasat University’s Faculty of Law said senior monks receive state-funded salaries and exercise broad authority, but the National Anti-Corruption Commission cannot audit their assets because monks are not classified as state officials under the anti-graft law.

He backed a ministerial regulation that will take effect on Oct 1, requiring temples to deposit their income into bank accounts under the temple's name, limit cash holdings to 100,000 baht, and submit annual financial reports to the NOB.