Thai government puts radio ban on monks

The government of Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has reportedly banned the country's Buddhist monks from mentioning the administration on state radio.

Radio Thailand officials say the decision came after a monk used a radio sermon to indirectly criticise the ruling party's plan to build a casino.

Thai rights campaigners say the move - which involves the establishment of a committee to monitor all Buddhist sermons on state-radio - goes too far.

The Campaign for Popular Democracy says it's a nonsense to gag monks and even military dictators refrain from meddling in religious affairs.