Buddhism body calls to fast-track safeguarding bill

The National Office of Buddhism (NOB) is calling on the government to expedite its deliberation of a long-stalled bill designed to safeguard Buddhism, following a high-profile scandal involving a woman who allegedly engaged in sexual relationships with several senior monks for financial gain.

- WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM

Inthaporn Chan-Eam, director of the NOB, described the case as one of the most serious in the country’s history and said it had reignited calls to revive the draft law aimed at penalising both monks and laypersons who commit acts that discredit the religion.

He said yesterday that he had already discussed the matter with Suchart Tan-chareon, the minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office and a member of the Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand.

Both agreed on the need to reconsider the bill, formally titled the Promoting Roles of Buddhists in Supporting and Protecting Buddhism Law. A committee will now be formed to revise the bill before it is submitted for approval by the council.