Election Voided: Subdistrict Buddhist Committee Halts Abbot Selection Amid Division Concerns
A village election to choose a temporary abbot at Soi Daow Temple in Nakhon Ratchasima was nullified after authorities ruled that only Buddhist monastic councils have authority to appoint religious leaders, not local officials.
A subdistrict Buddhist committee has nullified an election to select a new abbot for Wat Soi Dao in Nakhon Ratchasima, citing concerns that religious affairs are sensitive matters that could upset Buddhist followers. The temple has been without a permanent abbot for more than five years. Local village headman Ukrit Khao Nom Klang submitted a request to the subdistrict Buddhist committee to hold a public election for the position, and on June 28, voting took place with two candidates presented: Phra Plod Thong Pet (Candidate 1) and Phra Samanuk Tham Varo (Candidate 2). Candidate 1 won with 260 votes compared to 36 votes for Candidate 2, with 17 spoiled ballots.
However, on June 29, Pornpana Sankarun, director of the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Buddhist Office, announced that the election has no legal standing. Village headmen, temple committees, and local administration have no authority to hold elections or appoint acting abbots—such authority belongs exclusively to the monastic order under Buddhist ecclesiastical law and the Sangha Act. Officials acknowledged an initial misunderstanding by the subdistrict Buddhist committee but issued an order on June 27 to halt the proceedings before voting occurred, as the process violated monastic regulations.
According to Buddhist law, the appointment of an acting abbot is the responsibility of the subdistrict Buddhist committee, which must first consider the deputy abbot, then an assistant abbot, and finally any suitable monk if neither exists. The order emphasized that voting, show of hands, or referendums cannot be used to select an acting abbot. However, community members, local leaders, and officials may still submit information about the qualifications, conduct, and suitability of potential candidates for the monastic committee's consideration.
