CHIANG MAI’S Lam Chang community is calling on the National Buddhism Office (NBO) to investigate a deal that it believes will see centuries-old temple land turned over to the private sector for commercial gains. The abandoned temple land in Muang district should benefit the public instead of reaping gains for a private company, the residents said.

Three temples in Phichit province, that are among the 30 northern and central temples accused of involvement in embezzling from the National Buddhism Office (NBO) budget meant for temple development, are insisting on their innocence.