bangkok thailand junta remove head national buddhism office prime minister say tuesday religious group call government sack plan clean scandal-hit monasteries prime minister prayuth chan-ocha say punishment pongporn pramsaneh join national office buddhism february vow reform thailand 40,000 temples force open finance public take billions dollars donations every year former policeman appoint amid standoff security force influential dhammakaya temple february authorities want question temple chief abbot money-laundering charge pongporn move low profile post inspector-general prayuth office get job do come solve temple issue prayuth tell reporters bring close help work religious reform ... punishment pongporn tell reuters do duties best ability buddhism one three traditional pillars thai society alongside nation monarchy largely elude junta control stamp authority aspects thai life since 2014 coup national office buddhism responsible state administration religion follow 90 percent thailand 67 million people religious affairs handle sangha supreme council elderly monks despite high-profile temple scandals murder drug sex well improper financial deal pongporn call change jar monks group call thailand buddhists federation submit petition prime minister office month call pongporn remove prevent damage monks paint monks villains thai people eye group secretary-general korn meedee say statement facebook july another buddhist group call pongporn removal say damage buddhist institution phra buddha issara firebrand monk call reform buddhism say junta give pressure easily give government promise fight corruption still serious tackle corruption move certain people group say add come monks one touch reuters report exclusively march junta draft law would significantly weaken sangha council draft expect bring parliament year thai security force besiege dhammakaya temple february try catch former abbot want question money launder police fail catch still run thailand 's buddhism chief remove pressure religious group