Push to make Buddhism state religion

by Nanchanok Wongsamuth, The Bangkok Post, Oct 25, 2015

Several Buddhist groups are again hoping the constitution drafters will include Buddhism as the official state religion.

Bangkok, Thailand -- Supporters have declared that this time proposals to the drafters would be made peacefully, after a previous attempt failed during the coup-installed Gen Surayud Chulanont government in 2007.

At that time the Constitution Drafting Assembly rejected a proposal to make Buddhism the state religion in the draft charter, drawing an angry response from monks and laymen who demonstrated outside parliament.

“No government has ever taken an interest in Buddhism, resulting in a decline in the religion,” said Korn Meedee, the secretary of a committee to promote Buddhism as the state religion.

Myanmar Buddhist radicalism fuels Thai push for state religion

The Bangkok Post, 4 Nov 2015

Bangkok, Thailand -- A campaign to enshrine Buddhism as Thailand's state religion has been galvanised by a radical Buddhist movement in neighbouring Myanmar that is accused of stoking religious tension, the leader of the Thai bid said.

A monk prays at a Nov 1 ceremony to move Lord Buddha’s relics from Mahiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya in Sri Lanka to Buddha Monthon monastery in Nakhon Pathom. A campaign to enshrine Buddhism as Thailand's state religion has been galvanised by a radical Buddhist movement in neighbouring Myanmar that is accused of stoking religious tension. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)

Experts say the campaign could appeal to Thailand's military junta, which is struggling for popularity 18 months after staging a coup, and tap into growing anti-Muslim sentiment in a country that prides itself on religious tolerance.
While Buddhists form an overwhelming majority in both countries, Thailand has avoided the nationwide religious violence that has killed hundreds of people in Myanmar, most of them Muslims.


Now, Thai campaigners want Buddhism to be made the country's official religion in a new constitution.

They draw inspiration from Ma Ba Tha, a powerful monk-led group that pushed Myanmar's government to pass a raft of pro-Buddhist legislation.

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