Justice Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana said Wednesday that the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) would continue pursuing cases against Phra Dhammachayo, who is wanted for money laundering and accepting stolen assets.

He said several legal cases against the temple, its supporters and people close to the fugitive monk also would not be affected by the lifting of the order issued under Article 44 of the interim charter.

Legal cases against people who had allegedly violated the order while it was in effect would remain despite the lifting of the order, the justice minister added.

The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) announced the order would be lifted in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday.

The DSI yesterday withdrew its personnel from the controlled area, the agency’s deputy director general Korrawat Panprapakorn said. He said military personnel would remain stationed outside the temple to maintain security.