DSI calls off search for Dhammajayo
Defrocking onus on regional monastic boss
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) yesterday decided to end the search of Wat Phra Dhammakaya for the elusive former abbot after a siege that lasted 23 days.
Authorities said they failed to find Phra Dhammajayo in the 400-hectare complex and that they would only remain around the temple to maintain security.
DSI chief Paisit Wongmuang yesterday announced the decision to end the search of Wat Phra Dhammakaya in Pathum Thani’s Klong Luang district.
Pol Col Paisit also said that during the 23-day temple search operation, the DSI had pursued a total of 43 criminal lawsuits against people who defied an order by the National Council for Peace and Order.
Pol Col Paisit said that temple followers yesterday allowed the DSI to resume searching zones A and B and the six-storey medical care building, Boon Raksa.
The agreement was reached at talks mediated by Pathum Thani chief monk Phra Thep Rattanasuthee.
Zone A covers 196 rai of land and Zone B covers 130 rai. Boon Raksa, which is wellguarded, is on a 57-rai plot.
Pol Col Paisit said that the search failed to locate the former abbot, while adding the DSI has proof Phra Dhammajayo was not ill as claimed and was still mobile.
This means the monk has the intention to flee the justice system, and the DSI is duty-bound to find and arrest the monk within the 15-year-statue of limitations in the case against the monk, the DSI chief said.
Pol Col Paisit also said that temple followers who had gathered in protest at Talad Klang Klong Luang had promised to disperse while Wat Phra Dhammakaya would promise to stop mobilising followers.
Pol Col Paisit said that the DSI will ask the Justice Minister to raise the prospect of lifting the Section 44 order imposed on the temple with the government, Pol Col Paisit said.
He added that monks will be allowed to re-enter the temple grounds to perform religious activities, though they are not allowed to incite unrest.
The search for Phra Dhammajayo, the
72-year-old founder of the Dhammakaya sect wanted on money laundering, receiving stolen assets and forest encroachment charges, began on Feb 16.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha invoked Section 44 of the interim charter to declare the 2,300 rai of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, and nearby areas, a “specially controlled area” to enable the hunt for the monk.
The onus is now upon the chief of the monastic committee governing the Central Region to launch the process to defrock the controversial former abbot.
Pol Lt Col Pongporn Pramsaneh, the director of the National Office of Buddhism (NOB), yesterday announced the outcome of the one-hour meeting of the Sangha Supreme Council (SSC), chaired by His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch.
Pol Lt Col said that the NOB had formally informed the SSC that Phra Dhammajayo was stripped of his monastic title as published in the Royal Gazette.
He also said the NOB has informed the SSC that it had fowarded documents including investigation reports involving a money-laundering case against Phra Dhammajayo to Somdet Phra Buddha Chinnawong, who is the abbot of Wat Pichaya Yatikaram in Bangkok, who is the chief of a monastic committee overseeing the Central Plains region.
The documents were submitted by several agencies including the DSI, and the Royal Thai Police.
Pol Lt Col Pongporn said the NOB has asked Somdet Phra Buddha Chinnawong to consider action against the charismatic Phra Dhammajayo in accordance with Rule No.3 in SSC announcement No.21 issued in 1995 which deals with defrocking monks who violate the monastic disciplinary code of conduct.
Pol Lt Col Pongporn said that the next step will be for Somdet Phra Buddha Chinnawong to instruct all those concerned governing monks to take action.
‘‘But there is no telling how long it will take.
“It is up to the chief monk overseeing the Central Plains region, and the other concerned senior monks. But if Phra Dhammajayo cannot be found, the senior monks can still proceed with action as they see fit,’’ Pol Lt Col Pongporn said.
Mano Laohavanich, a former close aide to Phra Dhammajayo and now a critic, told the Bangkok Post that the outcome of the meeting was tantamount to giving Somdet Phra Buddha Chinnawong the mandate to take action as recommended by the NOB.
‘‘He [Somdet Phra Buddha Chinnawong] must now deal with Phra Dhammajayo quickly, no matter how he feels about him,’’ Mr Mano said.
Mr Mano said that Somdet Phra Buddha Chinnawong can finish the work in only one day by calling a meeting of the Region 1 chief monk, the Pathum Thani chief monk and the chief monk of tambon Klong 4 to consider action against Phra Dhammajayo.
‘‘Let’s wait and see if the four senior monks have the courage to exercise this power,’’ Mr Mano said.