Council of State refuses to disclose verdict on Supreme Patriarch choice

Council of State refuses to disclose verdict on Supreme Patriarch choice

  NATTHAPAT PHROMKAEW

THE NATION

 

THE COUNCIL of State has decided whether the Sangha Supreme Council (SSC) has the right to nominate the new Supreme Patriarch but refuses to disclose the details. 

Council of State secretary-general Distat Hotrakitya yesterday said the decision would be forwarded to the government.

“After that, the government agency that has asked for the interpretation of laws concerning the matter may disclose it to the public,” he said. 

The government traditionally has complied with the opinions of the Council of State, its legal adviser, but Distat said the government was not legally obligated to do so. 

The question whether the SSC has the right to nominate Somdej Chuang as Supreme Patriarch is a contentious issue. 

Somdej’s critics question his suitability to hold the post and have petitioned various agencies, resulting in his nomination being stalled. 

The Office of the Ombudsman ruled that based on the letter of the law the right to nominate the new Supreme Patriarch rested with the prime minister. 

Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana, PM’s Office Minister and overseer of the National Buddhism Office, asked the Council of State for an interpretation on the matter. 

The Council of State is scheduled to officially submit its opinion next week. 

Suwaphan said he had not seen the Council of State’s verdict and could not comment. 

One of the monks ordained by Somdej Chuang is Phra Dhammachayo, the controversial abbot of Dhammakaya Temple. 

Phra Dhammachayo faces an arrest warrant for alleged money laundering and accepting ill-gotten gains. 

But he has not been arrested and continues to command massive support from his followers and his allies. 

More than 300 monks called on the Dhammakaya Temple yesterday to express moral support for him.