Thailand's Buddhist monks must swear off many earthly pleasures, but the government has given them the green light to enjoy World Cup football, a religious affairs official said.

Thai monks will be allowed to watch the matches because exposure to worldly affairs including soccer is beneficial for their religious education, said Preecha Gunteeya, director of Thailand's Religious Affairs Department.

But he added: "There must be calm and quiet, and there must be no gambling."

World Cup 2006 live matches from Germany are broadcast late at night in football-mad Thailand, where officials say punters are expected to bet almost one billion dollars, 23 percent more than at the last cup four years ago.

In neighbouring Cambodia, the chief Buddhist monk in the capital Phnom Penh on Monday warned that monks found watching the World Cup must be punished and kicked out from their pagodas.