Thai monk collects 400 kg gold for govt coffers
05:09 a.m. Sep 09, 1998 Eastern
BANGKOK, Sept 9 (Reuters) - A revered Thai Buddhist monk, who has been collecting cash and other donations to help the cash-strapped government, deposited 400 kg (880 lb) of gold with the central bank on Wednesday.
Pra Maha Bau Yanasampanno vowed to continue with his campaign until Thailand overcame its worst economic crisis in decades.
''This gold belonged to our brother Thai worshippers who were willing to help rescue the national economy,'' he told Bank of Thailand staff as he delivered the gold in 32 bars.
''The gold will be officially handed over to government for use as reserve funds at an appropriate time,'' he said.
Pra Maha Bau began his campaign in April.
On July 6, he handed his first collections worth 12 million baht ($293,000) and $1.8 million in American dollars to the central bank.
Thousands of people throng Pra Maha Bau's temple in the outskirts of Bangkok and one at the northeastern town of Udon Thani every weekend, donating jewellery, ornaments and cash to his ''help the nation project.''
''Collections of donations to rescue the economy will continue until one can see some light of an economic revival,'' he said.
Several organisations including schools and temples have launched similar campaigns. The Thai army in March collected 150 kg (330 lb) of gold, mainly in the form of medals and ornaments.
($1 - 41 baht)
Copyright 1998 Reuters Limited. |
