The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has summoned the monk to acknowledge charges of alleged collusion in relation to the alleged receiving of ill-gotten gains and money laundering.

The charges relate to cheques he received from Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative Ltd’s former chairman Supachai Srisupaaksorn, who is accused of embezzling billions of baht from the co-operative.

Yesterday was the second time Phra Dhammachayo failed to meet with Department DSI officials.

As a result the DSI announced yesterday evening that it would seek the arrest of Phra Dhammachayo

“He has failed to answer to the summons twice, citing health problems. But he can apparently carry out his religious rituals,” DSI said.

It also pointed out that the DSI had already agreed to postpone his appointment to acknowledge the charges once, so further clemency was unwarranted.

Supporters of the monk said he became seriously dizzy on Friday and doctors recommended he rest and get treatment for 15 days.

They said Phra Dhammachayo had not done anything wrong because he could not have known where Supachai’s donations came from.