The government will take action on the case of the 12-billion-baht Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative embezzlement scandal, but it will not interfere with the Sangha Supreme Council (SSC)'s authority regarding National Reform Council (NRC) proposals, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha says.
Gen Prayut has instructed authorities concerned to investigate the connection between the money siphoned from the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative and Wat Phra Dhammakaya.
The government is also overseeing an investigation into allegations of financial law violations in connection with criminal misconduct in the embezzlement scandal.
"But the issue about whether Buddhist teachings are right or wrong, and the matter of the monks, needs to be addressed by the Sangha society itself," he said. "If the government interferes, it will only deepen the conflict."
When asked to comment on controversies surrounding the SSC meeting on Friday — which cleared Wat Phra Dhammakaya abbot Phra Dhammachayo of accusations made by the NRC committee on religious reform — Gen Prayut said the government was not in a position to meddle.
Meanwhile Phadej Mungthanya, the chairman of the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative, said the cooperative is pursuing a lawsuit to force Wat Phra Dhammakaya to return the surplus of 900 million baht allegedly embezzled from the cooperative by its former chairman and his accomplices.
The temple agreed to return less than one third of the amount, 300 million baht, claiming the rest of the money was spent on temple construction, explained Mr Phadej.
"If only 200 to 300 million baht is returned, the problem is not solved. The cooperative's members may have to rally against the temple, which I hope won't be necessary," he said.
Meanwhile, the Network of Buddhists of Thailand, an SSC supporters group, led by Phra Methi Dhammachan submitted a petition yesterday with the PM claiming the NRC committee's push to reform Thai Buddism is too extreme.
Buddhist monks did not participate in the drafting of a new Sangha clergy bill even though it affects them, said Phra Methi Dhammachan.
Since the committee first convened last month, it has only created conflict and division amongst Buddhist monks, he added.
If the government fails to respond to the requested dissolution of the committee within 15 days, the network will take further action, Phra Methi Dhammachan said.
In response to the network's threat, Gen Prayut downplayed proposals on religious reform floated by the NRC's religious committee.
"Have I implemented the proposed reform yet?" He said. "The NRC is free to come up with any reform proposals because that is its duty."
"I'm not ordering them to do what they are doing. The NRC comprises 11 reform committees.... Besides I have not endorsed any proposal by them, which means none of the proposals are being adopted. Nothing concrete is formed yet, so please do not pay much attention [to those proposals]."