Nakhon Ratchasima: The head of the clergy in tambon Kud Piman has denied claims the appointment of an acting abbot at Wat Ban Rai in Dan Khun Thot district of Nakhon Ratchasima was premature.
The appointment was approved on May 16, the same day the former abbot, Luang Phor Khoon, died.
The appointment of an acting abbot was made in line with temple and Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand regulations, Phra Khu Peeradejthamrong said yesterday.
A storm of criticism has followed the appointment of Phra Khru Pawana Prachanart, the abbot of Wat Nong Bua Thung as acting abbot of Wat Ban Rai.
Tambon Kud Piman clergy chief, Phra Khu Peedadejthamrong, approved the appointment.
Phra Ratchwimonmolee, the provincial Sangha chief, earlier expressed concern over the timing of the appointment, suggesting it was too soon after the former abbot's death.
"It's only natural for some people to have different perspectives on this," Phra Khu Peeradejthamrong said, in response to the concerns voiced over the timing.
Phra Khu Peeradejthamrong said a meeting was held at Wat Ban Rai on the afternoon of May 16 to discuss the appointment of an acting abbot.
The meeting, attended by tambon clergy members, disciples and residents, agreed that Phra Khru Pawana Prachanart should become acting abbot.
Phra Khu Peeradejthamrong said Phra Khru Pawana Prachanart was a good choice, since he is a senior monk and has a good reputation.
Most other Wat Ban Rai monks only have about three years in the monkhood, he added.
He stressed the need to appoint an acting abbot quickly since the temple still needed to be run until a new abbot is found.
Meanwhile, the director of the provincial branch of the National Office of Buddhism, Bunchayuth Nakmujarin, yesterday said the late Luang Phor Khoon's four savings accounts were not frozen.
A temple committee will provide details of Luang Phor Khoon and Wat Ban Rai's assets to a Sangha panel.
The assets are expected to exceed 70 million baht.