Disciples of Phra Dhammajayo not hindering police, says representative

Disciples of Phra Dhammajayo not hindering police, says representative

A big operation: The aerial view of Wat Phra Dhammakaya.
A big operation: The aerial view of Wat Phra Dhammakaya.

Disciples of Phra Dhammajayo who are gathering at Wat Phra Dhammakaya have nothing to do with an attempt to brave authorities' plan to arrest the former abbot currently wanted on money laundering and forest encroachment charges.

They went to the temple in Pathum Thani's Khlong Luang district on Saturday only to practise dhamma as usual, Ong-art Thamnitha, who represents Phra Dhammajayo's followers, said, denying a plan to mobilise people to block the authorities' operation.

However, the Provincial Police Region 1 headquarters, which oversees nine provinces in the Central Plains including Pathum Thani, has reportedly ordered police in almost all of these provinces to form teams of riot control officers and prepare vehicles used to detain people.

An earlier effort by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), which raided Wat Phra Dhammakaya in June under the court's search warrant, failed to bring Phra Dhammajayo to justice after DSI officials faced peaceful resistance by Phra Dhammajayo's followers, who sat praying, refusing to make way for the officials to search the temple.

The monk's disciples have made no comment on the DSI's new arrest attempt plan, which was discussed with police and state agencies on Friday. They only have a concern, Mr Ong-art said.

Asked how the temple will respond to a police's call on Phra Dhammajayo to report to authorities within the Dec 10 deadline, Mr Ong-art said he had no idea because it is the responsibility of the temple's legal experts.

Mr Ong-art cited Phra Dhammajayo's illness as a reason for his need to stay in the temple for treatment. Doctors recommended that the former abbot should not travel outside the temple, he said.

But if Phra Dhammajayo fails to surrender himself, "authorities need to arrest him under law", Pol Maj Gen Chayaphon Chatchaidet, acting chief of Special Branch Division 4, said yesterday.

The operation, which will be supported by military officers, will start once police are granted a search warrant from the court. The DSI is dealing with this issue, Pol Maj Gen Chayaphon said.

Following Friday's meeting, Provincial Police Region 1 headquarters has reportedly ordered Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi, Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Angthong and Lop Buri police to prepare two companies of riot control police a province for the raid. Sing Buri and Chai Nat were each told to support the mission with one company of the officers.

Also, police in Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi, Ayutthaya and Saraburi were each ordered to prepare 10 vehicles to detain suspects.

The preparations show police officers are taking a serious role to support the DSI. Earlier deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul vowed persons who acted as "human shields" against the operation will be arrested.

During June 16's raid on the temple, Dhammakaya followers issued a statement asking authorities to delay the arrest of Phra Dhammajayo until democracy returns to the country. Under the military-sponsored government, they claimed they were worried the 72-year-old former abbot may not receive justice.

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