Two mountain mansions raided in Phang Nga in search for Dhammachayo
Officers from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and other state officials raided two mansions in Phang Nga’s Takua Thung district in search for Phra Dhammachayo, the fugitive former abbot of Dhammakaya Temple on Friday .
DSI chief Pol Colonel Paisit Wongmuang led his officers along with Forestry Department officials, and Fourth Army Region soldiers as well as the Third Naval Base's air support to search two mansions on a mountain in Tambon Khlong Kien belonging to a Phuket-based businessman, a close disciple of the monk.
Authorities suspect Phra Dhammachayo might be hiding there to avoid facing criminal charges including money laundering, receiving ill-gotten gains and various land encroachments. The mansions are not far from the World Peace Mooktawan meditation centre, said to belong to the Dhammakaya Foundation run by the former abbot and the temple.
Paisit said the operation comprised land and air surveillance of the site. Officials were also inspecting land rights documents of these mansions, which had a 2.8km-long concrete-paved road leading to them.