Source: The Buddhist Channel

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=52,3957,0,0,1,0

Bangkok, Thailand -- Hundreds of monks are expected to lead Buddhist disciples to march to Parliament on Monday to insist on a clause in the new Constitution declaring Buddhism as the national religion for the first time in history.

The monks will come from 500 temples in Bangkok and several other provinces. They will be joined by Buddhist lay people from across the country. The rally is expected to last until Wednesday.

Phra Thep Wittayakoon, or the well-known Luangpor Koon, of Wat Ban Rai, has donated 10,000 baht to support the movement. It also is endorsed by the World Buddhism Relations Organisation and the Buddhist Association of Thailand.

Luangpor Koon said on Sunday that supporters of the movement had wanted an existing, traditional clause in the draft charter which states that the King must be a Buddhist and and upholder of all religions to include an addition making Buddhism the national religion.

Thai constitutions always have stated that the King must be a Buddhist, a traditional stipulation going back to colonial history and meant to prevent a subversive takeover of the monarchy by foreigners.

But the nation never has declared a state religion, although about 90 per cent of Thais consider themselves as Buddhists.