Wat Dhammakaya remains under control
Dhammakaya Temple will remain a controlled area although the search of the compound for more than three weeks failed to locate controversial ex-abbot Phra Dhammachayo, authorities said Saturday.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan on Saturday insisted that there would be no revocation of Article 44 that has authorized controlling and searching Dhammakaya Temple in Pathum Thani province.
Prawit said that the temple will continue controlled area as stipulated in the Article.
More than three weeks ago, the government has declared the temple and surrounding areas a controlled area in its bid to locate the former temple abbot Phra Dhammachayo who was under arrest warrant in connection with money laundering and possessing stolen items.
Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief Pol Col Phaisit Wongmuang said the DSI has simply reduced the number of officials staking out outside the temple at checkpoints.
He said the DSI will also allow laymen followers and monks to enter the temple.
In the meantime, it will coordinate with the National Office of Buddhism to prevent the temple from holding any activity in the manner of inciting the mass to rally inside or around the temple.
Meanwhile, Dhammakaya monks and novices this morning removed plastic sheets and other items from a protest site in the Klong Luang Central Market in Pathum Thani province, as they prepared to move back into Dhammakaya Temple.
Their move follows a request for cooperation by the DSI. The agency had asked the monks to wind up all nearby "prayer" groups in the controlled area as per the junta order.
On Friday, the temple gave consent for a DSI-led search operation of the temple compound, particularly the 135-room Boon Raksa building, where former abbot Phra Dhammachayo was thought to be hiding, but officers failed to locate the fugitive monk.