The cabinet has approved the transfer of Manas Taratjai, director-general of the Religious Affairs Department under the Culture Ministry, to become director of the National Office of Buddhism.
Mr Manas retires on Oct 1, 2018.
The transfer was proposed by Prime Minister’s Office Minister Ormsin Chivapruck and approved by Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.
The position has become a hot seat since the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) tried to arrest Phra Dhammajayo, the abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, in February this year.
The attempts met with strong resistance from the temple’s disciples and monks. By the time, the officials managed to enter and search the temple, the abbot wanted for money laundering and other charges was nowhere to be found.
At the heights to the standoff in February, Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha used Section 44 to remove Phanom Sornsilp as director of the National Office of Buddhism and replace him with Pol Lt Col Pongporn Pramsaneh, one of the DSI’s top officials at the time.
Despite high-profile temple scandals over murder, drugs and sex as well as improper financial dealings, Pol Lt Col Pongporn’s subsequent call for change had angered some monk groups, who sought to remove him.
On Aug 29 the cabinet transferred Pol Lt Col Pongporn to an inactive post before Mr Manas replaced him On Tuesday.
The National Office of Buddhism is responsible for state administration of the religion followed by 90% of the country’s 67 million people, but religious affairs are handled by a Sangha Supreme Council of elderly monks.
