The temple itself faces more than 300 criminal charges, mostly centred on the building of structures that intruded on public space and the attempt by police to demolish the structures in Pathum Thani’s Klong Luang district, encountered resistance from the temple’s disciples.

Phang Nga Provincial Court on Wednesday issued arrest warrants for Dhammachayo, 73, and his layman associate Phetch Kaensap, 54, in relation to the World Peace Muktawan monastic retreat’s alleged intrusion on 52 rai (8.3 hectares) of the Kuanjuk National Forest in the province’s Koh Yao district.

The encroachment caused Bt5 million in damage, alleged deputy national police chief General Srivara Ransibrahamakul.

The fugitive monk, who is believed to be hiding inside Dhammakaya Temple but has not been seen for months, is wanted for two other land encroachment charges – in Loei and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces.

He is also wanted for conspiracy to launder money and receiving stolen assets linked to the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative embezzlement case, which led to prosecutors instructing the Department of Special Investigation to arrest him before the statute of limitations for the alleged 2009 crime expires in 2024.