FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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DSI licks its wounds

DSI licks its wounds

Vows to return soon as Dhammakaya Temple follower block its search mission.

THE TUG-OF-WAR between the authorities and Dhammakaya Temple continues unabated with authorities making a bold push yesterday to try and arrest the temple’s abbot Phra Dhammachayo for whom a warrant has been issued, but encountering fierce resistance from his followers. 
The controversial monk is wanted on charges of money laundering and accepting ill-gotten gains. But in the eyes of his followers, he is a revered religious figure who is being unfairly targeted. The followers have said he should face the judicial process only after “full democracy returns to Thailand”.
DSI licks its wounds
More than 10,000 white-clad followers turned up to guard the temple from early morning yesterday, blocking all attempts by officials to scour the expansive grounds. Department of Special Investigation (DSI) deputy chief Pol Major Suriya Singhakamol decided to give up efforts to search the temple at 1.25pm yesterday. Justice Minister General Paiboon Koomchaya, however, said the authorities would apply for another search warrant. 
“We will keep seeking search warrants from the court until we can arrest Phra Dhammachayo,” Paiboon said. 
Suriya believes his team should be able to search the Dhammakaya Temple again before July 13. 
The DSI has already put the case against Phra Dhammachayo and his four alleged accomplices, including Supachai Srisupa-aksorn, a former chief of the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative, in the hands of the public prosecutors. According to the DSI, evidence shows that Phra Dhammachayo and his foundation received more than Bt1.4 billion in cheques from Supachai, who is serving a jail term in a related embezzlement case. 
Since the scandal surfaced, Phra Dhammachayo has not answered any DSI summons, claiming he is too ill. Due to his repeated failure to show up, the court issued an arrest warrant for him last month. 
The authorities have not been able to get their hands on Dhammachayo, who was reportedly inside the temple compound and is believed to be under the protection of his loyal followers. Their undying faith in him and fierce intention to protect him have raised concerns of violence breaking out if officials raided the temple without their consent. When a joint team of the DSI, police and administrative officials showed up at the temple yesterday, the monks promised to cooperate. 
However, when the officials tried to move into the compound, they were blocked by thousands of followers who refused to cooperate. Even the heavy downpour could not budge them and the followers’ representatives said they would allow Phra Dhammachayo to turn himself in only when full democracy returns to the country. 
“The statute of limitations in this case lasts for 15 years, so the surrender can wait until the country returns to full democracy,” a statement issued by a group of the temple’s followers said. During the operation yesterday, Suriya called on the monks to help negotiate with the followers but to no avail. 
Phra Sanitwong Wuttiwangso, head of the temple’s corporate communications division, said it was not possible to persuade all the followers as many had been with the temple even before he joined. 
Suriya disclosed that drones were used to record yesterday’s operations and recordings could be used as evidence against persons trying to block the officials. Clear attempts were made to obstruct proceedings, such as parking backhoes in front of the temple’s entrance. The DSI has already lodged a complaint with the local police station. 
Deputy national police chief Pol General Srivara Ransibrahmanakul said this complaint would pave the way for the police to take action against those involved. 
A source said the National Council for Peace and Order dismissed the temple followers’ declaration that Phra Dhammachayo would only undergo the judicial process if democracy returned to Thailand. “His case has to proceed in line with law. It has nothing to do with democracy,” the source said. 
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