A Thailand-based Buddhist organization has applauded the decision by the main sponsors of an annual Buddhist summit to withdraw support from this year's meeting in Burma.
The All Burma Young Monks' Union said in a statement it is delighted Japan's Nenbutsushu Buddhists announced last month they will not provide funding for the summit, which starts today (Thursday). The pullout came after October's ouster of Burmese Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt.
The Burmese monks, who are also boycotting the summit, say Rangoon is using Buddhism as a tool for political power while it persecutes Buddhists themselves.
The French news agency reports Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is expected to attend. It is unclear whether other Buddhist leaders will follow suit.
Information for this report is provided by AFP.