Bangkok: “Suchart” has reiterated that temples are prohibited from holding more than 100,000 baht, and is expediting amendments to the law to punish sexual intercourse.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Suchart Tancharoen, Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, is spearheading efforts to amend Section 206 of the Criminal Code to enforce stricter penalties on monks involved in sexual activities. He emphasized the necessity of amending the law, focusing on the sanctity of the place rather than the individuals involved.

The proposed amendments aim to impose penalties of imprisonment ranging from 1 to 7 years and fines up to 240,000 baht for sexual misconduct within temple premises. Mr. Suchart highlighted that the government is keen on collaborating with the House of Representatives to expedite the legislative process through three consecutive readings to address this pressing issue.

The timeline for the legal amendments remains contingent on the public hearing process, which reflects the urgency expressed by the populace to prevent future occurrences of such misconduct. Mr. Suchart also dismissed the idea of using ministerial regulations as a temporary solution, citing their inability to impose penalties.

Further, Mr. Suchart clarified the financial regulations for temples, mandating that any cash holdings exceeding 100,000 baht must be deposited into an account for transparency and accountability. He acknowledged that the Buddhist precepts discourage monks from holding money, thus reinforcing the need for strict compliance and oversight.

Addressing the current laxity in enforcement, Mr. Suchart called for the Supreme Sangha Council to ensure that temples nationwide adhere to these regulations, warning that non-compliance would constitute a violation. The minister underscored the importance of unified practices across all temples to uphold these standards.