Dhammachayo supporters told not to obstruct justice system
The government has urged supporters of Dhammakaya Temple abbot Phra Dhammachayo to stop inciting people to obstruct the justice process as the monk is facing criminal charges for alleged money-laundering and asset embez¬zlement.
The move followed DTAC, the country’s secondbiggest mobilephone oper¬ator, issuing a statement on its Facebook page distancing the company from the call of its founder and chairman, Boonchai Bencharongkul, urging Dhammakaya Temple disciples to protect the abbot from authorities.
The abbot has failed to show up to hear charges at the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), even though the agency has a courtapproved arrest and search warrants targeting him.
Boonchai, one of the country’s richest people, is a founder and former major shareholder of DTAC, which is now majoritycontrolled by Telenor Group of Norway. As a devout follower of Phra Dhammachayo, Boonchai gave a TV interview and urged people to come out to protect the abbot.
Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd, the PM’s Office spokesman, said Prime Minister Prayut Chanocha had called on all parties concerned to be reasonable and act in accor¬dance with law while sug¬gesting that inciting people to obstruct the justice process was inappropriate and illegal.
The prime minister has a good understanding of the feelings of faithful believers, but they are urged to follow the law, Sansern said.
