'If monks deliver political sermons on radio stations, the monkhood's image as an institution would be negatively affected,' The Nation quoted him as saying yesterday.
The pressure comes just days after his administration allegedly banned monks from mentioning the Premier or his government on state radio.
The alleged ban came after a monk indirectly criticised the ruling party's plan to build a casino in a radio sermon.
Monks have also criticised the government for intervening in a leadership crisis.
Some are protesting against its unilateral decision to appoint a senior monk, Mr Somdej Phra Buddhajarn, to act on behalf of their ailing Supreme Patriarch.
Thaksin to monastic plan critics: Pipe down
The government yesterday called for an end to the opposition over the appointment of a panel of seven senior monks to work on the Supreme Patriarch’s behalf while he is hospitalised.
“Buddhists are bound to observe the Buddha’s teaching in order to ensure peace in their religious community,” said Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Thaksin said the executive decree on the collective Buddhism leadership, issued last Saturday, is meant to advance monastic affairs while the Supreme Patriarch ails.
The Supreme Patriarch, 87, has been receiving medical treatment at Chulalongkorn Hospital for several months.
Thaksin said opponents of the decree had no justification to attack the collective leadership.
Among the opponents are forest monks and Thongkorn Wongsamut, a follower of Luangta Maha Bua. He vowed to continue his opposition.
The Sangha Supreme Council, the regulatory body for Thai Buddhist monks, made a unanimous decision on Tuesday to name seven senior monks to work for the nation’s chief monk.
The government is in the process of forwarding the council’s decision for Royal approval.
Deputy Prime Minister Vishanu Krua-ngam said Thongkorn and his supporters were trying to drive a wedge between Buddhists.
“I am concerned that opposition over the decree might spiral out of control and tarnish Buddhism,” he said.
Vishanu said Thongkorn was campaigning to promote individual monks rather than the Buddhist religion.
With additional reporting from AFP and The Nation.
