Deputy spokesman of Department of Special Investigation Pol Major Woranun Srilum said that the fugitive monk was under arrest because he did not report to the authorities as ordered by the NCPO.

Deputy national police chief Pol General Srivara Ransibrahmanakul had earlier said that Phra Dhammachayo has already been issued with warrants in relation to more than 300 cases.

He also referred to the security measures around the temple, which is considered a controlled zone under Article 44 of the interim charter. The security officials deployed at the Pathum Thani temple were instructed to check whether any orders were being violated, such as the wearing of a facemask and gathering to pray with a view to instigating violence.

He said his legal team would look at whether songs the temple adapted from music camps were intended to cause chaos. “The owners of the songs can take legal action against the temple if they want to,” the deputy spokesperson said.

Meanwhile the temple authorities have suspended media coverage within the temple’s premises now that the temple has cooperated with DSI in searching for Phra Dhammachayo.

In the announcement, the temple said the suspension would come into force at noon on Monday and said it was sorry for possible inconvenience this may cause.

The DSI has still failed to locate Phra Dhammachayo, who is wanted on several charges including land encroachment, money laundering and refusing to follow NCPO’s order. Immigration at the borders has been strengthened to prevent the monk from fleeing to neighbouring countries.