Tense standoff continues

CALL FOR PUBLIC TO ASK SANGHA COUNCIL TO PREVENT A CLASH OVER DSI BID TO ARREST PHRA DHAMMACHAYO

THE NATION

THE AUTHORITIES have mapped out an operational plan to enforce the arrest of Phra Dhammachayo, the abbot of Dhammakaya Temple, which includes calls for the public to ask the Sangha Supreme Council to take action over the matter.

The abbot is facing criminal charges for allegedly conspiring to launder money and receiving ill-gotten gains in connection with a bankrupted savings cooperative. But he has refused to hear the accusations, saying he is ill.

The latest drama took place on Thursday when Phra Dhammachayo’s lawyer told the authorities the monk would go to Klong Luang Police Station in Pathum Thani province to hear the Department of Special Investigation charges. But he did not go by the 4.30pm deadline.

Despite having an arrest warrant approved by the Criminal Court, the authorities have been reluctant to go inside the vast Dhammakaya Temple compound north of Bangkok due to fears of a violent clash with temple disciples, whose number is estimated at around 5,000.

Usually, there are between 500 and 1,600 monks staying at the temple at any given time and about 100,000 people visit the temple a month.

Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya said the court would be asked to approve a search warrant so officials can enter the temple. But the request had to be specific in terms of which locations in the temple would be searched.

The authorities sent a letter to the Sangha Supreme Council, which governs all Buddhist monks in the country, asking for it to help solve the problem with Phra Dhammachayo.

Paiboon said the DSI would wrap up details of the case for public prosecutors within the next two to three weeks.

The government had to handle this controversial case with great care, as religious faith was a sensitive matter that affects the minds of many people, especially those who devote themselves to a temple. A confrontation between officials and devotees could escalate into a bigger public issue if violence results from the use of force, the minister said, adding that the authorities cannot hurry the matter.

He said the charges against the abbot were quite complicated so the authorities were ready to explain the details of the case to anyone who wanted an explanation.

He said it was up to public prosecutors and the courts to decide whether the case could go to court without Phra Dhammachayo being in custody.

Sources said the Sangha Supreme Council was expected to help the authorities in the case, while the public should call on the council to act since senior monks should be able to exercise judgement and self-regulation.

There have been reports the temple has attempted to mobilise more devotees from upcountry to come to Bangkok. So police and soldiers will routinely monitor all 15 entrances around the temple and may resort to suspending food and other necessary supplies from being taken into the temple if the situation is protracted.

Dr Mano Laohawanich, a former monk at Dhammakaya Temple, said the DSI should urge Somdej Chuang of Wat Pak Nam, who ordained Phra Dhammachayo, to help.