The monk’s role and security policy in 1970s period

Abstract

 Monks play important roles and functions towards security policy in both warfare and peace times i.e. because they are in a position of revered worship of the Buddhists. Monks have their status from the trust of the general public especially when the people feel confused and anxious because of the changing conditions of society and international politics, for example, by the time that the world was once divided into two camps including liberal world led by USA and the communist led by the Soviet Union. These two camps caused international tensions and affected Thai foreign policy during the cold war. At present, the monks’ role, as the Buddhist leaders in raising morale and encouragement with mutual trust among the people in the country, is once again brought up to be reconsidered under the dominance of the rightists or conservative groups in Thai politics.