He failed to respond to an arrest warrant issued over allegations of defamation and inciting unrest.

The DSI is also considering the possibility of applying for a new warrant to arrest the temple’s former abbot Phra Dhammachayo after New Year celebrations.

The source said the DSI is also investigating allegations that the temple’s executives had spent more than Bt100 million of donations from the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative (KCUC) on stock trade.

The source said a National Office of Buddhism representative yesterday testified about the acting abbot’s role and his authority as per the Sangha Act and promised to give information about recent changes to that position to the DSI by January 10.

The DSI had filed charges against the acting abbot for harbouring a fugitive and neglecting to perform his duties.

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana said Phra Dhammachayo’s prosecution would be based on the law and conducted very carefully. The minister explained that he had no agenda or need to favour anybody, and would let the DSI do its job as it already had a plan of action.

Deputy national police chief Pol General Srivara Ransibrahamakul said he will today look into police investigation over the World Peace Muktawan monastic retreat in Phang Nga’s Koh Yao district that is allegedly encroaching into a national forest.

This retreat was linked to the Nakhon Ratchasima’s World Peace Valley Khao Yai monastic retreat, which is allegedly encroaching on state-owned land and has led to an arrest warrant for Phra Dhammachayo. He said the temple has also been linked to at least 10 sites that allegedly encroach into forests nationwide.

Meanwhile, a source said KCUC members will be asking the DSI to investigate the KCUC executives who withdrew the appeal on the Bt22 million embezzlement case that landed former chairman Supachai Srisupa-aksorn a 16-year jail term, resulting in the members’ loss of rights to demand compensation.

Separately, the Pathum Thani-based Dhammakaya Temple yesterday filed a police complaint against the Tambon Klong Sam Administrative Organisation for abusing its authority by blocking the use of the ubosot at the seventh gate.

Lawyer Natthachai Kliewpian said the building, alleged to have been built without permission as per the 1979 Building Act, was erected two years before the Act went into effect and since it’s a religious structure it is not required by law to get permission.

At 3pm yesterday, some 10 officers from Klong Luang Police Station officers were escorted by the temple lawyer to install signs reading “criminal case evidence” at 68 buildings and structures in the temple compound. This move was made to stop anybody to use, move or do any damage to the structures as investigation is ongoing.