The Kelantan government will gazette 13 more Buddhist temples or wat out of 22 in the state if they could fulfil the conditions set.

Ahmad Yakob said to date, nine wat in Tumpat had been gazetted as such, while the rest in Bachok, Pasir Mas and Tanah Merah would be accorded the same.

“There are altogether 12 wat in Tumpat. We will gazette the remaining three before proceeding with those in other districts.

"Among the conditions which must be met is that these temples must be active as recreational and cultural centres with learning activities, briefing sessions, wedding ceremonies and other community-related events held.”

Ahmad told this to reporters after officiating at the handing-out of state government gazette certificates for wat sites to the Kelantan Sangha Council at Wat Phikulthong in Kampung Terbok, Tumpat today.

Present were Kelantan Sangha Council head, Phra Phisansammanakit, Thailand’s Consul General in Kota Bharu, Paitoon Songkaew and Tumpat District chief, Rosnazli Amin.

The nine temples which received the gazette certificates were Wat Machimmaram, Wat Pracumthart Canaram, Wat Sukhontharam and Wat Phikulyai in Kampung Bunohan, Wat Mai Suwankhiri and Wat Chonprachumthat in Kampung Selehong Utara, Wat Phothiviharndi in Kampung Jal, Wat Prachumchow Nawa Silaloy in Kampung Ketil and Wat Pracacinaram in Kampung Wakaf Delima.

Ahmad said the Kelantan Sangha Council had been assigned to supervise all the wat in the state and the technical process of gazetting these temples had been going on since a few years ago.

- Bernama