Residents up in arms over monk's projects
ANCHALEE KONGRUT
Residents of the Wat Kanlaya community in Thon Buri yesterday kicked off a campaign to oust the temple's abbot, who has cleared many historical structures at the temple and attempted to evict tenants from temple land. The eviction plan, which is aimed at developing the landscape, has strained relations between residents and the abbot, Phra Dharma Chedi, for some time.
More than 100 residents of the Wat Kanlaya community gathered in front of the living quarters of the abbot and staged a rally yesterday.
''Where is compassion? Where is compassion?'' a resident shouted in an enraged voice at the rally. All the residents wore white T-shirts bearing the message: ''Stop the phra [monk] who has destroyed our heritage.'' Some also held a banner which read: ''The abbot's duty is to take care of the temple ... not to own it.''
The residents are demanding that Phra Dharma Chedi, who has run the temple for five years, be moved elsewhere. They distributed leaflets which contained a number of accusations against the senior monk over his eviction plan. A few weeks ago the monk was in trouble for ordering the demolition of a stupa containing the ashes of ancestors of the Pravitra family, including those of a consort of King Rama V. After pressure from the Pravitra family, the abbot last week agreed to rebuild the stupa on the same spot.
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| A boy with a headband saying `Stop' looks at rubble in the compound of Wat Kanlaya. He joined a campaign calling for the transfer of the abbot, who some residents accuse of supporting the development of a park which involves destroying ancient sites and evicting a riverside community from the neighbourhood. — THITI WANNAMONTHA |
The residents also condemned the monk for the destruction of an historical bell tower and his order to have trees, planted by a member of the Royal Family, cut down to pave the way for the temple's new landscaping, which includes an historical park project and a larger pier.
The temple's land along the Chao Phraya river is part of a national landscaping development which encompasses the so-called ''river walk'', to tap tourism. The temple is famous for a gigantic Buddha image and has been promoted as one of the nine must-visit temples.
As part of the new landscaping project, the temple has cleared the old community. Fifty-four families who refused to move out have been sued.
Phra Dharma Chedi yesterday refused to talk to reporters at the temple. In a phone interview with the Bangkok Post last month, the monk refused to abandon the controversial plan. Instead, he claimed the residents had no compassion for the temple.
''So the temple had to be unkind in return,'' he said, adding that the residents were good for nothing and had bred social ills including thefts and drugs, and contributed little to the temple.
Varanchai Pilarbrom, the leader of the Wat Kanlaya community, said the community will petition the Sangha Council, asking for the abbot's transfer.
He blamed the abbot for severing ties between the community and temple.
''The temple and the community used to have close ties. Our community usually held an annual merit-making ceremony _ a major event for people in this area,''said Mr Varanchai.
Previously the community petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Social Development and Human Security Ministry.
Vajara Phromcharoen, director of the Thon Buri district office, told the residents of a plan by the abbot to build a five-storey apartment block to accommodate those who had been evicted. The apartments, which will be built in the temple compound, will be the responsibility of the district office.
Residents were sceptical of the plan.
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