PRIME MINISTER’S Office Minister Ormsin Cheewapruek will speak with the National Office of Buddhism (NOB) after New Year’s Day about what to do regarding Dhammakaya Temple’s fugitive former abbot Phra Dhammachayo.

Omsin, who oversees the Office, affirmed yesterday that the Phra Dhammachayo case as well as those against the temple – would proceed according to the law. He added that he had already spoken about the matter with NOB officials on Tuesday, but since the details were not discussed, he would need to have another talk after New Year’s.

Meanwhile, national police chief Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda said police were waiting for the right moment to apply for a search warrant and to arrest Phra Dhammachayo, so he could not set a definite timeframe as police have been instructed to avoid clashes.

He said he had not received any confirmation and therefore could not say if the monk, who has not been seen for months, had fled to the northern border area as speculated by a politician.

Chakthip said the police operation on Tuesday to demolish structures, especially at the fifth gate which blocked public roads around Dhammakaya Temple, had gone as planned. He said police would consider demolishing other blocking structures and will press charges if the obstacles are put in public spaces again.

Warning that people resisting police duty would be prosecuted, Chakthip said he believed that the move by disciples to pray on the roads on Tuesday might have been an attempt to provoke police officers into making an arrest and stir a conflict.

Meanwhile, Dhammakaya Temple has ordered more food supplies and tents to accommodate the thousands of disciples coming to the compound to pray, a source said. Temple staff members have covered tents with green plastic sheets at the spot where police had removed the metal fences.

Several tents were set up on the road along Klong An 2-3 where some concrete pillars are yet to be removed, the source said.

Those entering the temple from its fifth gate are required to present their ID cards, though members of the media are not allowed any access, the source added. There was no police presence near the temple gates yesterday.

The source said police and DSI officers, manning checkpoints on nearby roads were continuing to keep a close watch on suspicious-looking vehicles heading into the temple.