About 20,000 Buddhists protested in Bangkok on Wednesday. Many were monks. They said Thailand's next constitution should make Buddhism its official religion.
The country is writing a new constitution. It does not give any religion special treatment.
Many Muslims live in the southern part of Thailand. There has been violence there. It could get worse if Buddhism were made the official religion.
Nine elephants were brought to the protest, the Bangkok Post says.
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Sources:
Post Reporters "Buddhist rally alarms Surayud". Bangkok Post, April 26, 2007
Thai News Agency "First charter draft on road to democracy". MCOT, April 26, 2007
Thai News Agency "Buddhist rally continues, as first charter draft presented". MCOT, April 26, 2007
"Thai monks rally on religion call". BBC News Online, April 26, 2007
Piyanart Srivalo, Atthayuth Butrsripoom "Religion protests worry Surayud". The Nation (Thailand), April 26, 2007
Thai News Agency "Buddhists gather to demand national religion status". MCOT, April 25, 2007
