NAKHON RATCHASIMA - An arrest warrant has been issued for Phra Dhammajayo, abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, by Sikhiu Provincial Court for alleged forest encroachment by a large meditation centre owned by the temple.
Media reported on Friday that the warrant was issued on Thursday in relation to the World Peace Valley Meditation Centre at Khao Yai in Pak Chong district.
The arrest warrant was requested by the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division.
It is alleged the management of the temple has no evidence of legal occupation of about 200 rai of the centre's sprawling 500-rai compound.
Earlier this year an arrest warrant was issued for Phra Dhammajayo, 72, for alleged laundering of money and receiving stolen property in connection with many multi-million-baht donations through cheques drawn on the embezzled Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative in Bangkok.
A second arrest warrant was issued for alleged forest encroachment in Loei province by the temple's meditation centre, Suan Pa Himawan, in Phu Rua district.
Despite the warrants, authorities have been unable to arrest Phra Dhammajayo, who has repeatedly cited illness or temple business for being unable to answer a summons to hear charges. His followers blocked an attempt by the Department of Special Investigation to arrest him at Wat Phra Dhammakaya in Pathum Thani, on Bangkok's outskirts.
