World Peace Valley found encroaching on state land

Occupying about 480 rai (more than 76 hectares), the World Peace Valley is a vast complex for Buddhist activities and is affiliated with the Dhammakaya Temple in Pathum Thani province. It became a subject of controversy after available evidence showed that the complex might be occupying about 100 rai illegally.

Deputy National Police chief Pol General Srivara Ransibrahmanakul flew over to inspect the site himself yesterday, after which three of the buildings were seized. Seven construction workers at the facility were also arrested on charges of abusing methamphetamine. 

Those operating the complex have to date failed to produce land-rights documents for all the land the facility is spanning across. 

“The deadline for submitting documents was July 4,” said Narong Kongkham, deputy director-general of the Department of Social Development and Welfare. 

The department is looking into this case because parts of the World Peace Valley clearly encroach into the self-sufficient settlement of Lam Takhong, which comes under the department’s jurisdiction. 

Normally, all the land in this settlement has to be used for agricultural purposes unless specifically exempted by the department’s chief. 

Narong said the operator of the World Peace Valley was seeking approval for operating the complex. 

“But before we approve anything, we have to determine whether the complex has completed legitimate processes, including how it sought approval for its construction,” he said. 

In a related development, Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief Paisit Wongmuang said yesterday that his agency had summoned five monks who have close ties with Dhammakaya Temple’s controversial abbot Phra Dhammachayo. 

“We have to determine who has played what role in the management of the temple and its related foundations, especially in relation to finances,” he said. 

A source said the monks who will testify to the DSI tomorrow were Phra Tattachivo, Phra Thawalsak, Phra Maha Somchai, Phra Amnuaysak Munisako and Phra Sutham Suthammo. 

“However, Phra Sutham has submitted a request asking that his session be rescheduled to July 21,” he said. 

Phra Dhammachayo is wanted on charges of money laundering and accepting ill-gotten gains in connection with funds embezzled from the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative. 

The cooperative’s former chief Supachai Srisupa-aksorn, who is serving a jail term for embezzlement, allegedly gave several cheques worth more than Bt1 billion to Phra Dhammachayo, related monks and related foundations. 

The DSI plans to pursue several money-laundering cases against Supachai as well.

Apart from the money Supachai allegedly channelled from the cooperative to Phra Dhammachayo, he was also found to have put large sums into a company he had founded as well as given funds to another individual.