Asia News Network Saturday 7th March, 2015

"I must say I ban any march. I will order police to prevent such activities. To the venerable, please go back to the temples," the prime minister said as the divide among monks deepens.

"Conflicts among monks are monks' own affairs. The government will step in only to do laymen's work," added Prayut, who also heads the National Council for Peace and Order.

Martial law is still in place in most parts of the country. It prohibits gatherings of five people or more. Many monks, however, have openly vowed to stage rallies after the committee on the protection of Buddhism placed Dhammakaya Temple, its abbot Phra Dhammachayo and the Sangha Supreme Council under intense public scrutiny.

Several groups of monks and Buddhists warned that they would stage big rallies on March 12 if the committee were not scrapped.

After rocking the country's ecclesiastical circle, the committee decided to conclude its mission yesterday in the face of acute pressure.

"We're done," the committee's chairman Paiboon Nititawan announced at a press conference.

He said the committee had completed its study of Buddhism-related problems and submitted the report to NRC chairman Thienchay Kiranandana.

"We have also successfully raised public awareness of the need to protect Buddhism. So our mission is completed," Paiboon said.

He said altho...

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Thai PM warns monks against protest march