Speaking as the treasurer of Wat Bowornniwet Vihara at a seminar entitled "How to build up social merit", Banthoon said the authorities at all levels should act as leaders in ethical social management, in terms of both encouraging good practices and punishing the wicked.

But Thai society is weak when faced with power and money, he said.

"The government right now holds the sacred sword of power. If they do nothing with it, they might as well be using it as a knife to chop ginger for a drink to relieve their boredom," he said sarcastically.

Banthoon went on to say that some people saw nothing wrong with what a group of people did as long as they were in power but changed their minds after the group lost power. And some people still stay silent and refuse to point the finger at the wrongdoers because they fear they will return to power, he said.

Some people are cunning and able to survive under any government, which reflects the weakness of Thai society, the banker said.

He said it was very hard to judge who were the people of merit, and even more difficult to point out those who were not.

"For example, someone spoke recently about a charismatic person outside the Constitution, but nobody could specify who he or she was," Banthoon said.

Therefore to build a meritorious society there is a need to build up transparency, he said, adding that Thailand's rules had been improved and should now be enforced.

Banthoon said he hoped Thai society would grow strong enough to rid the country of unworthy people.

Somruedi Banchongduang

 The Nation