Fugitive monk faces fifth arrest warrant

Charges of defying NCPO order added

Embattled Phra Dhammajayo now faces another arrest warrant for disobeying the regime’s orders.

This is t he fifth arrest warrant issued against the former abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya.

Phra Dhammajayo was already wanted under four other warrants — one for money-laundering and receiving stolen property in connection with the multi-milion-baht Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative and three others for alleged forest encroachment in Loei, Nakhon Ratchasima and Phangnga provinces.

Department of Special Investigation (DSI) deputy spokesman Woranan Silam said the Thanyaburi Court approved a fresh warrant for the arrest of the controversial monk on a charge of disobeying the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) chief’s order after he failed to report to authorities after being summonsed.

The temple remains a specially controlled area to prevent violence from third-party elements, he said.

Asked if any of the branches of the temple would also be declared a specially controlled area to ease the DSI operation, Pol Maj Woranan said the NCPO chief is authorised to do.

He said the temple complex and surrounding areas are under the supervision of a joint team set up to provide security and temple disciples will be examined to make sure they are there for religious activities.

According to the DSI official, the DSI is also reviewing songs produced by the temple to campaign against authorities to see if they are intended to incite public disturbance.

The songs copy melodies from other songs but changes the lyrics.

Pol Maj Woranan said owners of intellectual property can lodge a complaint with the DSI against the temple over violations of IP laws if they find the temple has used or modified their work without permission.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said the Section 44 order to control the temple and surrounding areas will remain until authorities are assured the situation there poses no danger to public safety and law enforcement officers.

In an order issued under Section 44 of the interim constitution, Wat Phra Dhammakaya and its surrounding areas are designated as “a specially controlled area”.

The order has been enforced because the temple devotees resisted the efforts of l aw enforcement t o search t he premises and arrest its former abbot Phra Dhammajayo.

The monk faces charges of money laundering and receiving stolen assets in connection with the multi-billionbaht embezzlement at Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative, and forest encroachment by branches of the temple in several provinces.

Gen Prawit said the order has been enforced to help the DSI carry out its job after its attempts to search the temple proved futile.

He said authorities assigned to handle Wat Phra Dhammakaya’s case will review the situation and make a decision accordingly. He noted that resistance against the officials has subsided.

The deputy prime minister also said the DSI handled the situation well despite a public outcry, noting the agency proceeded with care to avoid violent confrontation.

Gen Prawit said he has no information about the controversial monk and the authorities are following up on leads about his whereabouts.

The DSI’s operation to arrest the monk is not over, he insisted, saying the agency has the power to ask a court for a warrant to search any suspected venue.

The monk’s status is of a fugitive and he must be arrested on sight, he said.