Paiboon said a failure to execute an arrest warrant and take the abbot into custody would set a dangerous precedent and affect other cases in the justice system.
DSI chief Pol Colonel Paisit Wongmuang said the agency would wait to see if the monk surrenders tomorrow according to the police deadline. If that does not happen, he said the DSI could devise a new action plan with police and prosecutors in accordance with Paiboon’s instructions.
However, he added that the DSI had closely coordinated with deputy police chief General Srivara Ransibrahamakul on the case so the old action plan might be used.
He said if anyone obstructed officers executing a search warrant and the arrest of the abbot, they would be prosecuted according to the Criminal Code.
Paiboon said officials would soon apply for a search warrant given that Phra Dhammachayo remained at the Pathum Thani temple.
He said it was understandable that people were concerned about the case based on the DSI’s previous attempt to arrest the monk, which failed after the abbot’s disciples obstructed officers while claiming they had gathered at the temple for prayers. Paiboon said the public did not want the situation to get out of hand.
He said the DSI must perform its duty and instructed the agency to talk with Wat Dhammakaya officials and senior Sangha Supreme Council members to avoid chaos.

Police try to avoid raid
The Attorney-General’s Office last week announced the decision to indict Phra Dhammachayo and four others on charges of money laundering and receiving stolen assets linked to the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative embezzlement case.
The office also asked the DSI to arrest the monk before the statute of limitations for the 2009 alleged crime expires in 2024.
National police chief Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda yesterday confirmed that Phra Dhammachayo had until the end of the month to surrender to police in line with a new arrest warrant issued against him in the case involving the World Peace Valley Khao Yai monastic retreat, which allegedly encroached on state-owned land in Nakhon Ratchasima province.
He added that police did not want the case to escalate to the point where police would have to raid the temple to arrest the abbot. He said police had a plan if the abbot does not turn himself in but declined to reveal the details.
Legal action against a senior monk such as Phra Dhammachayo would not be difficult as it would be carried out according to regulations, Chakthip said, adding that he believed the monk understood that.