• OPINION

  Trouble at temple a sign of the times

  News, Editorial, Published on 13/09/2015

  » Ideally, a Thai community would accommodate a school and a temple. As is still the case in many places, many temples have a school as the temple serves as a community centre for surrounding residents. After all, temples have traditionally operated on donations from people living nearby. A temple’s relationship with its surrounding community has been close. With lax monastic rules and regulations, the community had a say in the temple’s operation and its finances. However, as time passes and with urbanisation, this may no longer be the case.

• OPINION

  Society must confront ‘face’

  News, Editorial, Published on 17/10/2015

  » Honesty is an important principle in Buddhism. So is the need for an open mind to criticism so any flaws can be fixed. It is therefore disconcerting that the monastic society has steadfastly refused to confront unpleasant truths in its realm. Worse, it is focused on punishing their critics.

• OPINION

  Using religion to polarise

  News, Editorial, Published on 28/10/2015

  » There is another serious effort under way to try to organise the drafting of an effective national constitution. The job of the second chief drafter of the year, Meechai Ruchupan, is doubly difficult, after the first one failed. Now, along with a mind-boggling list of suggestions, precedents, instructions and attempts at oversight, comes the unwanted and unneeded demand that the Constitution Drafting Committee make Buddhism the official state religion.

• OPINION

  State religion a no-no

  News, Editorial, Published on 10/11/2015

  » The campaign to convince the constitution writers to adopt an official state religion has taken an unfortunately nasty turn. Monks have directly attacked fellow Thai citizens of a different faith, claiming they are on a lower level. Supporters of a constitutional clause setting Buddhism as the official religion of the nation have directly threatened or countenanced violence. These are disturbing events. 

• OPINION

  The meaning of giving

  News, Editorial, Published on 25/12/2015

  » As the spirit of giving is celebrated worldwide today, Christmas this year also coincides with the Buddhist holy day, or wan phra, which also emphasises the importance of giving.

• OPINION

  Amend the Sangha Act

  News, Editorial, Published on 15/01/2016

  » While Thai Buddhism is plagued with many problems, the controversy over the supreme patriarch nomination underscores the crux of the matter -- the Sangha law that perpetuates a closed and autocratic clergy.

• OPINION

  Avoiding a religious row

  News, Editorial, Published on 20/01/2016

  » It is unclear why authorities in the South have pushed a project for a new Buddhist park in Pattani province. Indeed, as of yesterday at least, provincial officials had provided no specifics. The central government seems confused but it is crystal clear that local people have grave doubts, and have spoken about them clearly.

• OPINION

  Dolls just one of many fads

  News, Editorial, Published on 28/01/2016

  » The concern voiced just a few days ago by Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya that the "angel child" or luk thep dolls might be used to smuggle drugs on board a commercial plane has been proven to be true.

• OPINION

  Time to fix Sangha Act

  News, Editorial, Published on 19/02/2016

  » The supreme patriarch nomination controversy underscores an issue that both top monks and the government have tried to dodge for far too long — an urgent need for Sangha reform.

• OPINION

  Welcome moves at Preah Vihear

  News, Editorial, Published on 27/03/2016

  » Pha Mor E-Daeng, once a buzzing tourist spot, has been deserted for years due to an escalation of the Thai-Cambodian border conflict.

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