Dhammakaya Temple monks answer charge
Dhammakaya Temple’s deputy abbot Phra Thatthacheevo and Phra Maha Somchai Thanawuttho presented themselves to public prosecutors at Pathum Thani's Thanyaburi Provincial Court on Tuesday morning and signed acknowledgement documents in respond to the charge that they violated a junta order.
The two monks, who were accompanied by lawyer Panya Thaworn-akaranil, refused to comment to reporters.
Panya said the document signing was done after the two monks were informed of the charge on March 22.
He said the temple was gathering evidences to fight the charge and would eventually bring all monks who faced the same charge to sign the acknowledgement document. He admitted the temple's legal team was worried in the wake of some 400 legal cases being filed against the temple, but it was not discouraged and would do it best to respond to the actions
Phra Thatthacheevo was also accused of using temple funds to trade in stocks – an offence that could result in him being charged with abuse of authority under Article 157 of the Criminal Code.