AS MANY as seven police companies will be on standby to help arrest and remove fugitive abbot Phra Dhammachayo from of Wat Dhammakaya in Pathum Thani province if he fails to surrender by December 10.

The police and Department of Special Investigation (DSI) have decided to take action if a National Office of Buddhism team assigned to negotiate the abbot’s surrender is unsuccessful, deputy national police chief Pol General Srivara Ransibrahamakul said yesterday.

The DSI has asked for six to seven companies, each with at least 100 personnel, to be on standby around the clock.

The DSI also requested medics, nurses, explosive ordnance disposal officers, police K-9 officers and helicopters to also be on standby, he said.

Srivara said that police would provide manpower and tools upon request.

The DSI was told to bring in Phra Dhammachayo to face charges of money laundering and receiving stolen assets linked to an embezzlement case involving the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative (KCUC).

Police also want him in relation to a case related to the World Peace Valley Khao Yai monastic retreat that allegedly encroaches on state-owned land in Nakhon Ratchasima province.

Srivara said yesterday that if the abbot did not surrender by the new deadline, investigators would file a complaint against Wat Dhammakaya acting abbot for harbouring a fugitive.

Ong-art Dhammanitta, spokesman of the Dhammakaya disciples group, said last week that the abbot was ill and recovering in the temple. Srivara said if a police probe found that was untrue, Ong-art could face a charge of putting false information into computer.

Srivara said if it was later found that Phra Dhammachayo was not at the temple, the monk would be deemed a fleeing suspect and police would conclude the land encroachment case for prosecutors’ to consider for indictment.

National police chief Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda voiced concern over a possible violent confrontation at the temple if the authorities move in to arrest the monk.

In regard to a previous comment from Ong-art that he didn’t get fair treatment from state officers, Chakthip said the remark seemed to be intended to pressure officers. It was not an insult to officers who act according to their duty in regard to a criminal offence.

Chaktip urged the media to report the news with fairness, he said he believed the monk was still at the temple and thus police must proceed with a charge of harbouring a fugitive to those responsible.

Deputy Premier Wissanu Krea-ngam pointed out that it would not be a problem if the abbot was captured and given bail. But if he was not allowed bail, he must leave the monkshood first, because Thai authorities would not place a monk in prison or a detention cell.

If a monk faced charges, it would not affect his monk status, he said, but if he were to be detained or jailed he would have to leave the monkhood willingly by himself or be disrobed.