Total Access Communication Plc, the operator of DTAC, Sunday distanced the mobile phone network business from its board chairman's support of Phra Dhammajayo, the embattled abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya.
In response to a public outcry expressed through social media over Boonchai Bencharongkul's recent plea for the public to show more support to the monk, DTAC issued a statement saying it has nothing to do with the "personal opinions of anyone else".
The company also expressed concern that consumers would be confused about DTAC's stance towards the Wat Phra Dhammakaya controversy after seeing the company's name in media reports regarding the monk.
The statement, however, didn't directly refer to either the temple or Mr Boonchai.
- Earlier report: Boonchai accused of 'helping a culprit'
"In response to recent news articles in which DTAC was mentioned, please be informed the company is a telecom operator that is focused on the best practice of customer service. It doesn't hold any political or religious preferences for or against any groups," it said.
"DTAC maintains [political and religious] neutrality and the good governance principle and won't give any opinion on differences in individual views. And any such opinions given by anyone should be considered his or her personal thoughts that have nothing to do with DTAC."
Phra Dhammajayo is facing an arrest warrant on charges of money laundering and receiving stolen property in a criminal investigation associated with the multi-billion baht Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative embezzlement case. The term "Phradet Phrakhun Luang Pho" is normally used for highly respected monks.
Mr Boonchai also urged supporters of Phra Dhammajayo who may be watching his interview to travel to the temple for what he described as a "major dharma practice" and correcting the "misunderstanding" about the abbot.
Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd, meanwhile, said the government was concerned that a call by a "well-known figure" for followers of Phra Dhammajayo to travel to the temple for what was claimed to be a dharma practice could be seen as an attempt to incite a violent confrontation between the supporters of the monk and his opponents. The government encourages the person making the call to stop, said Maj Gen Sansern.
"The government is particularly concerned about believers who will come to the temple during a time when the authorities are enforcing the court order as they may risk breaking the law by obstructing the operation," he said.
"The prime minister does understand how much faith those followers may have in Phra Dhammjayo. But the PM, however, wants them to be open-minded about the importance of the rule of law," he said. The government is worried the temple is rallying supporters to Bangkok to act as human shields.
Mr Boonchai shares a laugh in 2008 with Sigve Brekke, the first foreign chairman of the Thai firm after his Total Access Communications joined with Telenor of Norway. Mr Brekke is currently president and CEO of Telenor. (Photo by Natthiti Ampriwan)
