DSI gives ultimatum to Dhammachayo
Play
THE DEPARTMENT of Special Investigation (DSI) has given Phra Dhammachayo, abbot of Dhammakaya Temple, two choices: Surrender or face arrest.
“An arrest warrant for him has been issued. Officials can raid [the temple] and arrest him to enforce the warrant,” DSI deputy chief Pol Lt-Colonel Somboon Sarasit said Tuesday after tripartite talks to arrange Phra Dhammachayo’s surrender collapsed.
The DSI, the National Buddhism Office and Phra Theprattanasutee, the monastic chief of Pathum Thani province, engaged in three rounds of talks. Phra Theprattanasutee was asked to help because Dhammakaya Temple is under his jurisdiction.
The DSI initiated the talks aiming to have Phra Dhammachayo surrender and acknowledge charges of money laundering and accepting ill-gotten gains.
The charges are based on evidence that Phra Dhammachayo and his foundation received more than Bt1.4 billion in cheques from Supachai Srisupa-aksorn, former chief of Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative (KCUC), who has been convicted and sent to jail in a related embezzlement case.
