Thai monks rally to call for Buddhism to be made official religion of Thailand
Imagine a procession of hundreds of monks in saffron robes with their supporters and marching along streets with nine elephants. A tourist spectacle? No, it is for a higher purpose. To attract attention to their cause: Buddhism to be declared the national religion for Thailand in the new post-coup constitution. They might just get what they want from last September’s coup leaders. Perhaps they might have already got it and this procession is just window-dressing for the people.
But I fear if the wish is granted, it could inflame tensions in the Muslim-majority deep south. The three-year Islamic insurgency down south has killed more than 2,000 people. The divide will be even deeper as the people down south seethe with resentment the ‘heavy muscling’ of their Buddhist brothers.
As long as everything is still fuzzy in the constitution, there is still hope to salvage peace for the kingdom. Now is not the right time to amend the constitution.
Related reads:
Bangkok Post
omitofu!
Buddhist is already everywhere,
just a few words in the Constitution
just recognizes the fact…
BB: I absolutely agree with you but I worry about more bloodshed. It is the timing that is the issue at the moment.