Army chief Chalermchai Sittisat has called for patience on the part of all involved in the handling of the Wat Phra Dhammakaya issue, saying wasted time is better than loss of blood.
Gen Chalermchai said the army was responsible for the area outside the temple compound.
What was of concern was the ongoing confrontation between the authorities and the temple's monks and followers. Authorities must be careful and patient in order to avoid a clash, he said.
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI), with support from the Royal Thai Police and the army, is search for Phra Dhammajayo, the former abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya wanted on several warrants.
Although the temple grounds and surrounds have been declared a controlled area, the search is proving difficult because the temple sprawls over more than 2000 rai, and a large number of people are inside.
"To be successful, we may have to waste some time but we will not allow any loss of blood, Gen Chalermchai said. "At the same time, our intention of enforcing the law must be carried out."
Asked whether there would be any problems over the failure of 14 senior monks to report to the authorities as ordered, Gen Chalermchai said he did not think so.
"We may have to let the people inside sit and pray. We have to give them some time to reach a thorough understanding of the situation, and then everything will be finally resolved.
"We have been in this situation for quite a long time. Everything has a beginning and the end. We will properly follow legal steps to avoid possible loss and damage," Gen Chalermchai said.
The army chief said that with so many people inside the temple, any use of force could lead to violence.
However, he believed the stand-off would be concluded smoothly.
Justice Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana said on Tuesday he had called Pol Col Paisit Wongmuang, director-general of the DSI, and asked for advice after receiving harassing phone calls in the night.
The DSI had ordered the information and communication technology office to check.
This traced the matter back to a message posted on Facebook by Phra Sanitwong Charoenratanawong, a Wat Phra Dhammakaya monk, Mr Suwaphan said.
In his post the monk said that anyone who wanted to file a petition against the DSI over the harsh treatment of monks could call Mr Suwaphan, the minister in charge of the DSI, at number 089-967xxxx, or his wife Mrs Rungnapa at number 091-334xxxx. As a consequence of this posting, he had been flooded with telephone calls.
Mr Suwaphan said the DSI would file a police complaint against Phra Sanitwong, alleging defamation and other charges.
