A relief fund will be allocated to monks troubled by dwindling public donations and alms because of Covid-19, according to Prime Minister's Office Minister Tewan Liptapallop.
The fund will be distributed via the National Office of Buddhism (NOB) after the government assessed the extent of the impact of the crisis on the more than 40,000 temples and over 300,000 monks nationwide.
Most temples are having problems paying water and electricity bills and managing their general affairs as cash donations from the public have continued to dwindle. Also, monks have received less alms since the pandemic hit at the beginning of the year.
Mr Tewan said a relief fund will be given to monks although the exact amount to be distributed has yet to be unveiled.
It is estimated each monk may be provided 100 baht a day or less of relief money.