The cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal that government employees be allowed to take 15-days special leave with pay, from Oct 16-30, to ordain as monks in honour of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Col Athisit Chainuwut, assistant PM's office spokesman, said the proposal was submitted by the National Office of Buddhism. It applied to all government officials and state employees, temporary and permanent.
They would be allowed to enter the monkhood for a period of 15 days in honour of the late king during the royal cremation ceremonies in October. It would not affect their normal salaries or annual leave entitlement.
Officials who earlier exercised their right to take annual leave for ordination could also take the 15-day ordination leave to pay tribute to the late king.
Officials who had not taken normal ordination leave could take this special leave and it would not affect their future entitlement.
Those participating must attend a mass ordination organised by the public or private sector and jointly held with the clergy.
Col Athisit said the public were also urged to attend mass ordinations to be held in all provinces. There would be 89 new monks in each province, or 6,853 in total.