Thailand goes to the polls on Sunday in the first election since a military coup in 2014. One party is running on the claim that Buddhism is under threat … despite it being followed by most of the population. Some fear it could mark the beginning of religious division in the country. CGTN's Martin Lowe has more.  

An election candidate campaigns at a market outside the Thai capital Bangkok. In a country traditionally tolerant of religious differences, the rise of a pro-Buddhist party marks a new trend. The Pandin Dharma Party claims Buddhism is under threat, despite being followed by around 90 percent of the population. Its leaders say Buddhist radio and TV stations have been shut down by Thailand's military government, monks have been arrested on minor charges and laws passed to weaken Buddhism's ability to run its affairs. It also claims too much support is given to minority Muslim communities in the south of the country, at the expense of the Buddhist majority.

KORN MEDEE PANDIN DHARMA PARTY LEADER "The problem is government interference. The government is more powerful than the people. Even though most people in Thailand are Buddhist, only about 10 percent are strong believers. In other countries, Buddhism has already been weakened by government pressure."

The party says Buddhism is central to Thai society but has little formal influence. It wants Buddhism to be adopted as the state religion.

SIRIMA SARAKUL ELECTION CANDIDATE "We are dedicated to protecting Buddhism. I believe people who love Buddhism would want us to take this stand. When I talk to people during the campaign, they say, 'please protect our religion'."

MARTIN LOWE PATHUM THANI, THAILAND "The party is campaigning for the independence of Buddhism to be protected by legislation, shielding it from what it sees as any outside interference."

Thai Islamic groups say any party that seeks to divide communities would be a concern, particularly if it provided a platform for anti-Muslim feeling. Some believe the party could signal the first steps towards a Buddhist nationalist movement, similar to those in Myanmar and Sri Lanka, but previously not seen in Thailand. Martin Lowe, CGTN, Pathum Thani, Thailand.