They were escorted by Pol Lt Colonel Uthai Waewthaisong, a Klong 5 Police investigator, and temple lawyer Panya Thawornakaranin.

The 10 were among 14 monks summoned to present themselves to Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officers but had failed to do so.

The four monks who have yet to face the charge include former abbot Phra Dhammachayo, Phra Thatthacheevo who claimed to be too ill to come, and two others – Phra Maha Somchai Thanawuttho and Phra Khru Baideeka Amnuaysak Munisako, who said they were preoccupied with monastic errands.

Panya said the monks appealed for justice and asked for an investigation into the delivery of summonses, as they claimed they didn’t know about the summonses and that was why they didn’t report to the DSI as ordered.

Panya also said Phra Dhammachayo actually wanted to surrender but a certain reason, which he did not elaborate on, prevented him from doing so that at this time. He said it was the former abbot’s right to decide when to surrender because the statute of limitations for the moneylaundering case was 15 years.

Meanwhile, life has returned to normal for vendors selling goods along Klong An and those living near the Temple in Pathum Thani following the DSI’s suspension of its longrunning search operation for Phra Dhammachayo. The traffic flow on the road by Klong An is back to normal after police stopped motorists for several weeks at checkpoints set up when the junta declared the temple and Klong Luang Central Market a controlled area.

Army medical officers have also given free checkups to nearby residents, some of whom were under stress and faced inconvenience due to the junta order.

Army chief General Chalermchai Sitthisart, in his capacity as secretarygeneral of the National Council for Peace and Order, said the junta would discuss an amendment to its order at a meeting on Tuesday that allows members of the public to enter and exit the temple as per normal. However, Army officers would still be stationed around the temple despite DSI officers withdrawing, he said.

Also on the agenda at the meeting is a discussion on the results of the 23day search for Phra Dhammachayo.