He said the search will resume this morning in areas that were not covered yesterday.

Thursday’s searches covered about 20 to 25 per cent of the vast complex covering more than 2,100 rai (830 acres).

“The wanted person was not found during the search in areas he was expected to be. We still have many days left to complete the mission,” he told the press conference.

Royal Thai Police deputy spokesman Pol Colonel Krissana Patanacharoen said the authorities experienced no obstruction from the temple’s followers during their operation. He also dismissed a rumour spread through the social media that the authorities clashed with the followers.