Phra Dhammachayo arrest to be done by the book: Prawit
DEPUTY Premier General Prawit Wongsuwan expressed confidence yesterday that the planned arrest and legal action against Phra Dhammachayo, the embattled abbot of Wat Dhammakaya, would proceed according to the law.
He spoke after deputy national police chief General Srivara Ransi-brahamakul said the monk had until the end of this month to surrender to authorities. The deadline relates to a fresh arrest warrant involving the World Peace Valley Khao Yai monastic retreat’s alleged encroachment on state-owned land in Nakhon Ratchasima province.
Wat Dhammakaya yesterday introduced strict screening of all vehicles entering its compound. Prawit said intelligence agencies had confirmed the abbot was still at the temple.
Prawit said the agencies had not found any intent to cause trouble when the abbot was arrested and he urged the media not to alarm the public by playing up the possibility of a violent confrontation.
Prosecutors said on Wednesday they had decided to indict Dhamma-chayo and four others on charges of conspiracy to launder money and receiving stolen assets linked the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative embezzlement case. They urged the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to arrest the monk before the statute of limita?tions for the alleged 2009 crime expired in 2024.
Srivara said police would help the DSI arrest the abbot.
Pathum Thani police yesterday prepared for the arrest, with an updated map of the temple’s key exits put up in a meeting room, an informed source reported.