How DSI's failed operation happens: recap

An operation to capture Dhammakaya Temple abbot Phra Dhammachayo on Thursday by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has failed because of strong resistance by lay followers of the abbot.

DSI and concerned agencies acted carefully and avoided use of force. As a result, there was no clash or violence as earlier feared. However, the operation was forced to end abruptly after a large presence of the followers appealed the DSI officials to wait until the democracy return to the country.

With search warrant approved by Criminal Court last night, the DSI has started its operation since 8.45am today and ended at 1.25pm.

Here are the recap of the whole operation:

DSI prepares special team to arrest Dhammachayo

The Department of Special Investigation has prepared a special team of 12 unarmed officers for arresting the controversial abbot of Dhammakaya Temple, DSI deputy chief Pol Major Suriya Singhakamol said Thursday. Suriya said the DSI prepared the team at 5 am.

Deputy police chief holds urgent meeting at police station near Dhammakaya Temple

Deputy Police Commissioner Pol Gen Sriwarah Rangsipramkul held an urgent meeting with police officers at the Klongluang police station in Pathum Thani at 7:30 am to discuss the operation to arrest the temple abbot.

DSI officials pass through temple's gate

The deputy chief of the Department of Special Investigation led a few DSI officials to enter Gate 7 of the Dhammakaya Temple but were blocked by monks and followers behind the gate.

Dhammakaya monks try to keep order of press at Gate 7

At 9am, monks from Dhammakaya Temple tries to keep order of the army of reporters in front of the 7th gate to pave the way for a talk between DSI officials and the monks.

Monks allow DSI officials to search Dhammakaya Temple

The leading monks of the Dhammakaya Temple agreed to allow some Department of Special Investigation officials to enter the temple and search it.

The agreement was reached after DSI deputy chief Suriya Singhakamol held a negotiation with Phra Sanitwong and other monks for about 15 minutes.

Dhammachayo's followers prevent DSI officials from entering temple

Defiant lay followers of Dhammakaya Temple abbot Phra Dhammachayo shot down an agreement between monks and the Department of the Special Investigation, insisting no DSI officials would be allowed to enter the temple.

DSI aborts attempt to enter Dhammakaya Temple through Gate 5

Department of Special Investigation officials aborted their attempt to enter the Dhammakaya Temple via Gate 5.

The followers, who formed human barricades behind the gate, insisted that no official would be allowed to enter the temple. The followers said the abbot, Phra Dhammachayo, is still not well so the officials could not meet them.

Dhammachayo Capturing Operation delayed until after monks' lunch

The Department of Special Investigation announced that its operation to capture Dhammakaya Temple abbot Phra Dhammachayo will be delayed until the monks inside the temple finish their lunch.

Normally Buddhist monks have their lunch as the last meal of the day from 11 am to 12 pm.

Dhammachayo's followers fight by chanting pray

Operation to capture Phra Dhammachayao fails

The operation by the Department of Special Investigation to arrest Phra Dhammachayo has failed because of strong resistance by lay followers of the abbot of the Dhammakaya temple, the DSI and three other government agencies told a press conference.