"This isn't just a personal issue, it’s a critical turning point," Thailand’s culture minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on 17/7, addressing recent monk scandals. She stated these wrongdoings have caused confusion and eroded the faith of Buddhists.

Paetongtarn said the cabinet has tasked the Ministry of Culture, along with the National Office of Buddhism and the Ministry of Education, with launching a comprehensive campaign to restore public faith in Buddhism.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Bangkok, Thailand, on 3/7. Photo: AFP

Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Bangkok, Thailand, on 3/7. Photo: AFP

The campaign aims to disseminate accurate knowledge about Thai Buddhist culture, foster deeper understanding between Buddhists and the clergy, and promote traditional Thai values of ethics and universal harmony.

According to Paetongtarn, the campaign will focus on modernizing and simplifying the way Buddhism is presented, ensuring it is accessible to young people. This will allow them to engage with Buddhist teachings in ways that connect with modern lifestyles.

The culture minister emphasized that restoring faith in Buddhism requires shared understanding, sincerity, and collective effort from everyone involved. She also urged all government officials and civil servants to be positive role models in their communities.

Thai police have established a center specifically to handle misconduct within the monastic community. This follows a scandal involving Wilawan Emsawat (nicknamed "Ms. Golf"), a woman alleged to have had relationships with dozens of monks and senior Buddhist figures in Thailand. Thailand has also launched a background check on approximately 300,000 monks nationwide following the financial and romantic scandal involving "Ms. Golf".

Ngoc Anh (Nation, Bangkok Post, AFP)