National religion still on the table

By Mongkol Bangprapa and Manop Thip-Osod

The Constitution Drafting Assembly on Monday postponed debate of the controversial clause in the draft charter which could define Buddhism as the national religion.

It will be considered along with Article 78, which deals with national policies that also require the government to protect Buddhism and other religions and faiths and promote better understanding between people of different faiths.

The postponement followed disputes among CDA members involved in the motion.

CDA member Sawek Tinkul, a proponent of the definition, placed a model cabinet for Buddhist scripture near his seat. The act prompted other members to protest and eventually CDA chairman Noranit Setabutr ordered the removal of the model cabinet.

CDA members Sodsri Sattayatham and Karoon Sai-ngarm blamed Pichian Amnartvoraprasert for tricking them into supporting his motion defining Buddhism as the state religion without keeping his promise to include their proposed changes on the clause relating to the proposed National Crisis Council.

During the debate, around 5,000 people who support the idea that Buddhism should be the state religion camped outside parliament to press for their demand.

Both monks and lay people arrived early and occupied the pavement opposite parliament on Uthong road. They later blocked the road, causing traffic congestion around the venue.

About 1,000 people including 16 monks joined a hunger strike.

Among them was CDA member Woradet Amornworapipat, who said he was prepared to fast to death as ''a sacrifice for Buddhism''.

The demonstrators demanded the charter drafters declare Buddhism as a national religion in Article 2.

The lay protesters took turns airing their views on stage, with stage performances at intervals.

Tension arose in the afternoon when a group of around 100 young monks gathered at parliament's gate and demanded to enter the compound to pray in front of the statue of King Rama VII.

Security guards managed to block them while the protest leaders urged them to return to their position.

Phra Rachapanya Methi calmed the situation by leading the monks and novices to pray.

Protest leader Maj-Gen Thongkhao Phuangrodphan said yesterday that more lay people and monks would join the protest and the rally should finally gather at least 50,000 participants.

If the CDA fails to include Buddhism as the state religion, his group will campaign for the rejection of the draft charter in the referendum.

If it is rejected, he said, his group will call on the Council for National Security to include the Buddhism clause in a previous charter that it will choose and amend