Followers of Phra Dhammajayo kicked off a campaign Wednesday to "seek justice" for the monk who faces charges of money laundering and receiving stolen property in connection with the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative (KCUC) embezzlement scandal.
Led by Adisak Wannasin, chairman of the Buddhist Relations Association, more than 100 supporters of the Wat Phra Dhammakaya abbot lodged a petition with the Damrongtham Centre and the provincial Buddhism office in Pathum Thani accusing the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) of unfair treatment.
The move came ahead of a planned gathering by the temple followers on May 15, the day before he is scheduled to meet the DSI to hear the charges against him, which are in connection with several cheques worth hundreds of millions of baht issued to the temple and him by the KCUC.
Mr Adisak said the DSI's legal action against the abbot is unfair and unjustified for three reasons.
Loyal sect members began 'camping out' at Wat Phra Dhammakaya in Pathum Thani province as support for their leader Phra Dhammajayo grows. (Photos by Apichit Jinakul)
First, DSI investigators questioned the abbot as a witness in the scandal and reportedly cleared him of any wrongdoing, so the fresh charges do not make sense.
Next, the charges are deemed redundant thanks to the existing cases involving the KCUC -- embezzlement and public fraud.
Last but not least, the followers of Wat Phra Dhammakaya have raised more than 684 million baht to pay back the credit union which in return withdrew the civil lawsuit and agreed not to pursue any legal action.
The DSI decided to press charges against Phra Dhammajayo after its investigation into the embezzlement case found more than 20 cashier's cheques worth more than 2 billion baht were paid by former cooperative chairman Supachai Srisupa-aksorn to the abbot and his associates.
This included at least 435 million baht to Phra Dhammajayo.
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya played down the group's move, saying the temple supporters had the right to do what they wanted as long they used the proper channels.
However, he suggested the group seek clarification from the DSI about the charges to ensure they are on the same page and avoid any unforeseen problems. According to the minister, several group members seem a little confused about the cases.
He also brushed aside a report the temple followers would gather on May 15 in an attempt to pressure the DSI which has issued a fresh summons for the abbot the next day.
However, Gen Paiboon said he has ordered the DSI to monitor the situation and alert authorities if the planned gathering might lead to public disorder.
Phra Dhammajayo has repeatedly failed to comply with summonses to meet DSI officials to acknowledge the charges.
He cited several illnesses to skip the previous meeting on April 25 which had already been deferred from April 8, when the abbot said he was busy with religious activities.
The DSI was forced to issue the summons after the Criminal Court rejected its request for an arrest warrant for the abbot on the grounds that Phra Dhammajayo did not pose a flight risk.
Gen Paiboon said the DSI will have to ask the court to issue an arrest warrant if the abbot fails to show up again.
"He cited illnesses, so the court told the DSI to issue a new summons. No matter how many times [he fails to show up], the DSI has to repeat the procedure because it isn't authorised to issue an arrest warrant," he said.
Phra Dhammajayo: Wanted by the DSI for questioning over the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative (KCUC) embezzlement.