Criminal complaints filed against Wat Dhammakaya spokesman, loyalists

The complaint was filed at the Crime Suppression Division under Section 116 of the Criminal Code, which bans public statements that incite disaffection in a manner likely to cause a disturbance. The offence is punishable by a jail term not exceeding seven years.
DSI deputy spokesman Pol Major Woranan Srilam filed the complaint, citing Ongart’s ninepoint announcement on Sunday that allegedly included accusations against authorities. 
The temple’s founder and former abbot, Phra Dhammachayo, faces arrest warrants relating to the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative (KCUC) embezzlement case and a separate allegation of land encroachment.
Prime Minister General Prayut Chanocha yesterday said he had instructed police to refrain from talking to the media about the Dhammachayo case to let justice run its course. He said officers would proceed “by the book” and the media should not sensationalise the story, which could lead to |conflict.
Also yesterday, Bangkok’s Ratchadapisek Criminal Court dismissed an emergency appeal by Dhammakaya Temple for the cancellation of a search warrant, which had been approved for a joint DSIpolice operation to search the temple compound in Pathum Thani province and arrest the fugitive monk. 
Lawyer Thatchanon Pornbaiyoke, who submitted the temple’s motion, declined to comment on the matter, saying the temple’s communications office would provide information later. 
Earlier in the day, Thatchanon refused to say whether the fugitive monk had authorised him to submit the appeal. The lawyer also would not comment on whether Dhammachayo was still at the temple, as has been widely speculated.
A Royal Thai Police source said deputy national police chief Pol General Srivara Ransibrahamakul had asked the DSI to apply for a new courtordered search warrant that would allow officers to conduct a search day and night for four days. 
As a result, the DSI had halted operations that were scheduled to take place yesterday, which were authorised by an existing search warrant that is valid until Friday, the source said. A revised operations plan was expected to be completed this week, which would be the basis for a new search warrant.
The DSI has been ordered to apprehend Dhammachayo, who now holds the title of “honorary abbot” bestowed by the temple, to face charges of money laundering and receiving stolen assets linked to the KCUC case. The other existing arrest warrant relates to an allegation about land encroachment in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Both Srivara and acting Special Branch Bureau 4 chief Pol MajGeneral Chayapol Chatchaidech yesterday declined to answer most questions posed by the media about the case, citing an order by national police chief General Chakthip Chaijinda. Chayapol confirmed, however, that police would still support DSI operations as previously planned.
Meanwhile, Prayong Preeyajit, secretary of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), urged Pathum Thani provincial officials to launch an investigation into allegations that the temple constructed six bridges in public areas without receiving the proper permission, and then reserved the bridges for exclusive use. 
He urged officials to check whether the temple used state funds in the bridge construction, while warning that the PACC would proceed with legal action against officials if they neglect their duty.
Another source reported a police car patrolling the area around the temple ran over road spikes near the compound’s sixth gate. Authorities suspected an unknown third party had spread a large amount of spikes in the vicinity to “create chaos”, prompting officers to file a complaint with the Klong Luang precinct alleging property damage.