BANGKOK: The Bangkok Islamic Committee’s chief was elected on Wednesday (Nov 22) as Thailand’s new Chula Rajamontri or Sheikul Islam.
Arun Boonchum, chairman of the Bangkok committee, won 471 votes from members of Islamic committees in 40 provinces. The voting results were announced just after 1pm on Wednesday.
Arun was competing against two other candidates – Wisoot Binlatah, an imam from Ban Nua Mosque in Songkhla, and Prasarn Sricharoen, a deputy Chula Rajamontri.
The 40 committees represented Thailand’s 4 million Muslims in electing the 19th national leader to oversee Islamic affairs.
The Sheikhul Islam serves as the government’s top adviser on Islamic Affairs, including efforts to bring peace to the mainly Muslim deep South.
Arun will be taking over from Asis Pitakkumpol, who died on Oct 22.
The election was held at the National Islamic Affairs Management Centre of the Provincial Administration Department in Bangkok’s Nong Chok district and was presided over by Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaiset.
In his opening speech, Chada said he had been assigned by the interior minister to preside over the most important event for Muslims.
He said he was happy to welcome members of the 40 provincial committees to elect the new Islamic chief, adding that the post of the Chula Rajamontri was very important for Thai Muslims.
Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will call on Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to endorse the new Islamic chief for royal appointment.
Arun earned a bachelor’s degree in Islamic studies from a university in Saudi Arabia, and another in international relations from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University.
He worked as an Islamic teacher at the Ban Don Mosque in Bangkok and has been an imam at the mosque in addition to chairing the Bangkok Islamic Committee. - The Nation/ANN
