Failure to nab monk not end of DSI mission as followers ‘subject to arrest’

A source familiar with the case said yesterday’s move was just part of a bigger mission the DSI had to complete.

DSI officials, meanwhile, managed to get official acknowledgement from temple officials about the arrest warrant for Phra Dhammachayo and the search warrant they produced after entering the temple’s vast compound in Pathum Thani.

A DSI source told “Primetime” on Nation TV that using thousands of followers to block authorities from arresting Phra Dhammachayo was a criminal offence. 

DSI deputy director-general Suriya Singhakamol said officials had recorded all the events involving the temple’s worshippers and monks obstructing the agency from arresting Phra Dhammachayo. He said the authorities would determine whether their acts were against the law.

The abbot is wanted for allegedly colluding in money laundering and receiving ill-gotten assets in connection with a Bt12-billion embezzlement scandal involving one of his key followers.

Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya told “Primetime” that the authorities involved had expected obstruction by the abbot’s followers and the temple’s monks.

“No arrest could be made [yesterday] but there will be more operations again and again,” he said.

Paiboon added that anyone involved in helping wanted offenders to try to get away with an offence would be punished with imprisonment of up to two years and/or a maximum fine of Bt4,000.

Photos of temple worshippers and monks were taken as proof against them. “They will be arrested later, anywhere they are found, whether it is their home or somewhere along the way,” he said.

The justice minister told “Primetime” that the refusal to allow its abbot to be arrested portrayed the temple as stubborn and prone to challenging the law. 

“This in turn will adversely affect the temple’s image and the feeling of the Thai public” towards it, he added.

Paiboon said it was time for society to choose which side they wanted to stand with – those on the right side of the law or the alleged law violator.