Top monk cautioned
A senior monk based in Chiang Mai faces being defrocked after taking part in a panel discussion held by the anti-government movement at a rally on Sunday night.
Department of Religious Affairs director-general Preecha Kanthiya said Phra Kittisak Kittisophano would initially be given a warning over his participation in the rally. "He will be defrocked immediately if found doing it again. Then he can join whatever political rallies he wants to as a layman," Preecha said. The monk, chairperson of Suan Metta Tham Meditation Group based in Chiang Mai's Fang district, was one of three speakers in a discussion titled "Morality of politicians in the view of three religions", together with a Christian priest and a Muslim cleric. Preecha said Phra Kittisak had violated regulations of both his department and the Office of National Buddhism that proscribe Buddhist monks from getting involved in political activity. The Sangha Supreme Council, which oversees Buddhist monks nationwide, has also issued a similar restriction. The Nation
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