The National Office of Buddhism (NOB) has issued an order barring monks and novices from joining mass protests, its director Narong Songarom said.

Monks who flout the ban could be defrocked.

The ban was in response to media reports and photos taken of individuals in saffron robes who participated in anti-government rallies. They joined the protests despite repeated warnings from the NOB. A group of them were pictured holding placards demanding the right to vote, as monks are barred from voting.

Others were reportedly questioning why they must obey the rule which requires them to shave their eyebrows. They were part of a protest on Nov 8 in Bangkok.


"The rules clearly say that monks must have their eyebrows shaved regularly. If they cannot accept the rule, they should leave the monkhood," said Mr Narong.