Deputy PM says fight threatens Somdej Chuang’s appointment

 

“For as long as conflict continues, it’s likely that no one will dare to submit his nomination as the Supreme Patriarch for Royal endorsement,” Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said yesterday.

“If you keep quarrelling, nothing can proceed in line with the prescribed process.”

On Monday, thousands of monks gathered at the grand Buddhist Park to express their support for Somdej Chuang, who is also referred to as Somdej Phra Maha Ratchamangalacharn. Ahead of the rally, monks even clashed with soldiers, who Prawit said were simply assigned to ensure that monks entered the park through just one gate for security checks.

Pushing and shoving during the tussle underlined that the conflict is boiling over in the process of selecting the new Supreme Patriarch.

 Somdej Chuang has served as acting Supreme Patriarch and the chair of the Sangha Supreme Council (SSC). Although the SSC has already nominated him as the country’s new top monk, he has faced serious challenges from several prominent Buddhist organisations and individuals.

Due to the strong opposition against Somdej Chuang, his nomination is still pending in the hands of the government.

The Buddhist Protection Centre of Thailand’s secretary general, Phra Medhi Dhammajahn, who led Monday’s rally, claims someone is trying to overthrow Thailand’s Sangha body and has submitted five demands to the government.

Prawit said he had already talked to the monk and told him the government would carefully study four of the demands, which include the appointment of Somdej Chuang as the new Supreme Patriarch.

By law, even though the SSC has the nominating right, it is the prime minister who decides whether to submit the nomination for Royal endorsement.

“The prime minister will have to look extensively into the issue and all its aspects,” Prawit said.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha is now on an overseas trip to attend the US-Asean summit in the United States.

Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya yesterday said the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) had found that a Mercedes Benz in the possession of Somdej Chuang was an illegal vehicle.

“The DSI will officially explain how the vehicle was illegal on February 18,” he said.

Asked whether Somdej Chuang would be held responsible for the allegedly illegal vehicle, Paiboon said authorities would need more time to investigate before coming to a conclusion.

Paiboon said the monk rally would not put pressure on the Justice Ministry.

“Monks and laymen are under the same laws,” he said.

The DSI is now looking into several cases related to Somdej Chuang. In addition to the luxury-car case, there are allegations that he abused his authority in favour of Phra Dhammachayo in a case involving defrocking. Phra Dhammachayo, the abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, has been caught in a storm of scandals, including allegations involving embezzlement.