Monks barred from rallies

The National Office of Buddhism (NOB) has issued an order barring monks and novices from joining mass protests, its director Narong Songarom said. Monks who flout the ban could be defrocked.

The NOB and the Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand have previously notified the heads of the monks’ governing branches across the country to make sure that monks and novices do not engage in politics or political activities, Mr Narong said.

His comments were in response to media reports and photos taken of individuals in saffron robes who participated in anti-government rallies. They joined the protests despite repeated warnings from the NOB. A group of them were pictured holding placards demanding the right to vote, as monks…