Chiang Mai Buddhist Office Denies Monk Bribery Claims
The Chiang Mai Provincial Office of Buddhism has denied allegations that monks were pressured to pay bribes to retain ecclesiastical positions in the province.
CHIANG MAI — The Chiang Mai Provincial Office of Buddhism has denied allegations that monks in the province were being asked to pay money to retain important ecclesiastical positions. The office issued a statement on Sunday in response to media reports alleging that money had been demanded from monks seeking to protect their positions within Chiang Mai's monastic administration. According to the statement, the regional ecclesiastical chiefs representing both Thailand's Mahanikaya and Dhammayut Buddhist orders confirmed that no such incident or issue had occurred in Chiang Mai. The office urged anyone possessing relevant information, evidence or other leads to submit them directly to its director so the allegations could be properly investigated and all parties treated fairly. Information may be submitted to the Chiang Mai Provincial Office of Buddhism at Chiang Mai Provincial Hall on Chotana Road in Chang Phueak subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Mai district, or by calling 081-951-4434.
