But the burning hot topic emerged on Monday after a clash between rallying monks and military officers at Buddha Monthon.

The Sangha and Buddhists Alliance of Thailand staged the rally to show support for Somdej Phra Maha Ratchamangalacharn, or Somdej Chuang, who has been nominated by the Sangha Supreme Council as the new Supreme Patriarch. The military tried to block the rally, as such an act is prohibited after the 2014 coup.

Video clips of the pushing and shoving were spread via mainstream and social media. The monks were seen attempting to push military vehicles out of their way and manhandling soldiers trying to keep them out. One monk was seen holding an Army officer in a headlock. Some posted video clips showing a military officer moving quickly towards the monks. Both sides have supporters who blame the other side for the incident.

Critics have also taken aim at acting Supreme Patriarch Somdej Chuang for failing to take action against Phra Dhammachayo, the controversial abbot of Wat Dhammakaya, whom the late Supreme Patriarch once accused of committing “parachik” (a great offence) after registering property donated to his temple under his own name.

Here are some of the comments in response to the issues facing Buddhism.

@hotdarkcoff wrote on Twitter: “#NokAir is really blessed. Saved by the monks. The issue of its pilot strike is almost out of the media space.”

@dreamtuii wrote: “What? The NCPO will create unity and reconciliation? It can’t make it peaceful even when it’s about monks and Buddhism.”

@Wasin_Ch wrote: “We have ignored the problems related to Buddhism for too long so they grow so deep and so big.”

Buddhist advocate Saruttaya Rose Mahanavaranee wrote on Facebook that it is all Buddhists’ duty to protect the religion as Dhammakaya’s teaching are against Lord Buddha’s teaching. She mentioned the scandals the Dhammakaya’s leaders and supporters have faced including the purchase of land and luxury cars and a donation it received from the scandal-plagued Klong Chan Credit Union.

Meanwhile, Panatsaya Sungpan wrote: “You are already ordained. Can’t you shed your desire? Monks are supposed to cut out their desires, take a precept and live morally – no demanding. Don’t just put on the robe and call yourself monks so that people pay you respect and offer food to you. That’s what is deteriorating the religion.”

In response to the backlash, many social media users changed their profile pictures to a yellow logo with the message “We love Buddhism”. They posted and shared messages with the hashtag #WhyWeLoveDamakaya. They said Dhammachayo had returned the land and there was no legal action against him so he still deserves to be a monk.

Some social media users saw the funny side of the dramas besetting Buddhism. Huay Toon’s cartoon showed a monk failing to justify the Dhamakaya controversies.

Tharinee Muangmusit shared a picture of military personnel sitting on the stage usually reserved for monks to chant and perform religious ceremonies. The caption read: “Who cares? Nothing soldiers can’t do. Monks are all gone to Buddha Monthon. Soldiers can chant by themselves.”

It was later revealed that the personnel were military chaplains who were rehearsing religious ceremonies.

In another interesting post, Noppanan Arunvongse Na Ayudhaya recalled what Cambodians and Chinese had told him about political conflicts in their countries when he wrote:

“Religious ideology is stronger than political ideology. If a conflict grows, the damage can be unimaginable. Thailand is lucky not have had such a tragedy where blood and tears flow just because of craziness over religious and political ideologies.

“For every case, people should keep an open mind and consider the causes and the effects and believe in the justice system and not be divided.

After all, each side does not have only one million but millions of people, and they all are Thai.”

He said the students would not enter into the polling booths. “They will just be there to help voters, such as helping the elderly find their name in the list. This has been done in many elections previously,” he said.

He added that the campaign included educating soldiers and their families about the content in the draft charter and their voting rights.

Bandit is also ready to fight the case if the prosecutors or plaintiffs decide to take it to the Supreme Court, Ramet said.

Meanwhile, Abhisit yesterday thanked the Appeal Court for upholding the Criminal Court’s decision to reject the case on Wednesday and for “giving him justice”.

Stressing that he had been using authority accordingly to his position at the time, the former PM said he would fight future lawsuits if any, provided they are filed on the recommendation of the NACC with the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions.

Jatuporn told the Nation that he had a two-hour-long chat with some four or five military officers regarding the new supreme patriarch as well as his general manner of expressing political opinions.

Insisting on adhering to his political views, Jatuporn said he had not been warned to watch his speech in the future. However, unlike his last summons, Jatuporn was made to sign a letter saying he had understood everything and that he was safe.

Prayut was speaking yesterday at Suvarnabhumi Airport after returning to Thailand.

“The US president gave us moral support and wished us success when he learned that we are moving forward on a democratic path. He did not pressure us – that we must do it now or do it swiftly or face punishment,” Prayut said.

The PM said only Thais tried to pressure the government to speed up the return to democracy.

“If we want to reform, we have to respect the rules. We have to follow steps to be democratic,” he said.

“I did not see that he despises me. Some people may feel sorry because they did not get to shake hands [with Obama]. He shook my hands firmly. He has etiquette.”

Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai denied reports that the US pressured Thailand about a return to democracy. “The US president just briefly said in a press conference that he wished democracy returned to Thailand,” Don said. Meanwhile the Court of Appeals yesterday upheld the ruling of a lower court to acquit Prayut and four other members of the National Council for Peace and Order on charges of treason, staging a coup and “overthrowing” the Constitution.

The suit was filed by a group of 15 political activists led by Pansak Srithep.

The Court of Appeals acquitted the defendants based on the 2014 interim charter imposed by the junta clearing itself of any wrongdoing for any actions related to the coup.

The Criminal Court on May 29 last year acquitted Prayut and the four other NCPO members. The plaintiffs filed an appeal, claiming the Criminal Court illegally acquitted the defendants because it had not carried out a preliminary examination.

The plaintiffs accused the NCPO of violating the rule of law and democratic principles by giving themselves amnesty for staging the coup.

This proposed measure aims to avoid a repeat of political unrest, severe political conflict and a near-failed state that was experienced before the coup in May 22, 2014, the Cabinet said.

“During the transitional period – the turning point that deals with the life or death of a country – a temporary measure must be allowed where necessary in order to maintain peace and order,” read a letter from the Cabinet to the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC).

The Cabinet suggested that in the initial stage – shortly after its promulgation – the new constitution should not be fully enforced. It said this would ensure “stability during the transition”.

It added that in the next stage, all provisions in the new charter might be put in effect in a manner that is “more in line with the international principles on democracy”.

The Cabinet also said it was worried that political conflicts and unrest might resume in the wake of the election, and it “may be worse than before”.

“A state like that is very rare in a foreign country and it is too difficult for other democracies to understand,” the Cabinet said.

This was the last of the 16-point suggestion made by the Cabinet in the letter dated February 15 and addressed to CDC chairman Meechai Ruchupan. The letter was signed by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan on behalf of the prime minister, who was overseas.

The Cabinet’s proposal, however, was yesterday interpreted by academics as a way for the junta to retain power after the election.

Independent scholar Sirote Klampaiboon said this proposal would make the new charter, the referendum and the election meaningless.

“This means the National Council for Peace and Order, in whatever form, will continue to have absolute power despite there being an elected government in office,” Sirote said.

He added that the proposal was “really bad”, even unacceptable. “No constitutions should have anything like this.”

Jade Donavanik, a member of the previous CDC and an adviser to the current panel, said yesterday that the Cabinet might be worried that the new government would not be able to deal with political unrest should such a situation re-emerge.

He said such concerns could be interpreted in three different ways at least.

First, the Cabinet wants a special body to deal with any possible crisis. Second, it wants “special power” for somebody other than an elected government, possibly allowing the military to rule in case of emergency. Third, it wants a mechanism to cope with any crisis and perhaps rule over the government during critical times.

“I don’t know how the military is assessing the situation. Perhaps it thinks something will happen or not happen at some point, but it just wants to ensure it still has the power to control the situation,” Jade said.

Meanwhile, CDC spokesman Norachit Singhaseni yesterday dismissed speculation that the drafters would focus their attention on proposals from the Cabinet and the National Legislative Assembly in revising their original draft.

“That is untrue. The CDC treats all suggestions equally, including those from the public and civic groups,” he said.