Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya has asked the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to invite the Supreme Patriarch nominee in for questioning over his alleged involvement in a luxury car tax evasion scam.
Somdet Phra Maha Ratchamangalacharn, also known as Somdet Chuang, was linked to the case after his signature was found on an illegal registration form for a vintage Mercedes-Benz.
The 90-year-old abbot of Wat Pak Nam Phasi Charoen is the acting supreme patriarch and has been nominated by the Sangha Supreme Council (SSC) to become the country's chief monk.
Gen Paiboon said the case must be dealt with in accordance with judicial processes and officers should not be pressured into rushing the case. Efforts must be made to ensure no discrimination is involved in the investigation, he said.
The DSI is in the process of writing to Somdet Chuang to invite him to a meeting.
The minister said he told DSI director-general Paisit Wongmuang to invite Somdet Chuang for talks at the DSI's office and to treat him with respect.
After the letter is delivered, the DSI will contact his temple to work out a date and time for the meeting. Mr Paisit said the letter is expected to be sent to the senior monk next week.
When Somdet Chuang replies to schedule a meeting, Mr Paisit said he would meet the monk to discuss issues surrounding the controversial vehicle.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister's Office Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana said he is not ready to propose the appointment of the 20th Supreme Patriarch to the prime minister.
He said the National Office of Buddhism is gathering opinions from various parties about the issue.
Mr Suwaphan said there are still some issues where an agreement cannot be reached so he cannot yet put the matter before the premier.
On Feb 15, about 1,200 monks and their supporters gathered at Phutthamonthon Buddhist park in Nakhon Pathom to demand the government speed up the appointment of Somdet Chuang as the new supreme patriarch.
A scuffle broke out between monks and soldiers deployed to monitor the gathering.
The monks submitted five demands to the government, including one calling on government agencies to stop meddling in religious affairs.
Mr Suwaphan insisted the government has never interfered in the affairs of monks and always respected SSC decisions.
Talks will be held with monks about the issue though no arrangements have yet been made, Mr Suwaphan said.
