Justice Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana on Tuesday vowed a fresh search of Wat Phra Dhammakaya with the backing of the Supreme Sangha Council (SSC) while Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha insisted Section 44 of the interim charter would remain enforced until the elusive former abbot is found.
Mr Suwaphan said authorities led by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) were discussing preparations for another search with coordination from the members of the SSC, the monk-governing body.
He insisted the DSI, which was leading the operations, would not resort to use of violence as he urged the monks and temple devotees not to be manipulated by false information.
Three water trucks were seen at the back of Border Patrol Police Region 1 in what was believed to be part of plans for the renewed search inside the embattled temple.
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DSI officials, with support from the police and the military, began the search operation on Feb 16 to locate Phra Dhammajayo after Prime Minister Prayut invoked Section 44 to declare Wat Phra Dhammakaya a restricted zone.
The authorities could not find the controversial monk amid reports that a lay follower identified as Alongkorn Sathapitanont, better known as Coke, helped him escape when the DSI launched the raid.
According to the DSI, the authorities searched Mr Alongkorn's house Tuesday but did not find either Mr Alongkorn or the former abbot. (Story continues below infographic)
Gen Prayut said the temple would remain a restricted area until Phra Dhammajayo was arrested or turned himself in to fight embezzlement charges.
He said the National Office of Buddhism (NOB) and the SSC had previously joined efforts to make the Pathum Thani temple more accessible to the public.
"Section 44 will not be revoked because [the search for the former abbot] isn't over. The temple remains a restricted area until Phra Dhammajayo turns himself in and the temple management is restructured," he said.
He also shrugged off criticism the government wanted to seize gold Buddha statues in the temple, amid claims they were funded with embezzled money, saying he doubted they were made of real gold.
NOB director Phanom Sornsilp said the SSC was concerned about the situation at Wat Phra Dhammakaya and Phra Phrommunee, secretary to His Holiness Supreme Patriarch, has asked monastic committees governing the temple to meet and resolve the issue.
He said the meeting will be chaired by Somdet Phra Buddha Chinnawong, the abbot of Wat Pichaya Yatikaram and chief of the monastic committee in the Central region, with representatives from the Justice Ministry.
He said the monastic circle will work with state authorities in solving the issue but noted the Supreme Patriarch has given no instructions involving Wat Phra Dhammakaya's situation.
Mr Phanom said all monastic committees have been advised to tell monks that Wat Phra Dhammakaya is a restricted area and entering it is illegal.
National police chief Chakthip Chaichinda said he ordered Police Region 2 and Police Region 7 to deploy more police around the temple to step up security.