Monks who are the brains behind embattled abbot Dhammachayo
BESIDES the ailing Phra Dhammachayo, the abbot of Dhammakaya Temple, the top brains behind this powerful temple are assistant abbot Phra Maha Somchai and deputy abbot Phra Padet.
Sources say Phra Maha Somchai is the most influential in dealing with authorities who have so far failed to serve an arrest warrant on the abbot accused of conspiring to launder money in connection with a bankrupt credit union’s ex-boss.
Phra Maha Somchai is a younger brother of Sia Song or Song Watcharasrirote, who was charged with manipulating the stock of now-defunct Bangkok Bank of Commerce more than two decades ago.
The monk’s academic credentials are impeccable. He completed his secondary education at the elite Triam Udom Suksa School and was admitted to Chulalongkorn University’s medical school.
He earned his master’s degree and doctorate in religious studies and Buddhism at the prestigious Tokyo University.
Like abbot Phra Dhamma-chayo, he was ordained in 1985 by Somdej Chuang of Paknam Tem-ple.
Insiders say Phra Maha Somchai is rarely seen in public but he has earned the moniker “The Iron Trousers” for his strong will and decisiveness in managing the temple’s affairs.
The assistant abbot is also well supported by Phra Padet, the deputy abbot, who is a chief defender of Phra Dhammachayo.
Phra Padet was born into a farmers’ family in Kanchanaburi. He helped build Dhammakaya Temple into a major monastery with legions of disciples.
Because of his ripe age of 75, Phra Padet has played a behind-the-scenes role, with his lieutenant Phra Kru Anurak acting as the chief strategist in communicating with the public via the temple’s spokesman Ong-art Thamnita.
On financial affairs, Phra Suwit, another assistant abbot, is in charge, but overall the frail abbot still has the final say on crucial matters.
There are an estimated 10,000-15,000 monks and disciples occupying the temple daily, including 3,000-5,000 temple officials and about 1,000 disciples who come in the morning and leave in the evening.
About 5,000-8,000 disciples stay overnight at the temple.
