NAKHON PHANOM: The Nakhon Phanom Court on Thursday approved arrest warrants for five people accused of helping the fugitive former assistant abbot of Wat Samphanthawong to escape a police manhunt.
The court approval followed a request by Nakhon Phanom police after national police chief Chakthip Chaijinda ordered the northeastern provincial police to take charge of the operation.
The Thai suspects were Sasiorn Jiamvijitkul, 54, a disciple better known by her nickname "Jum", and Peerawich Srisattha, 28, a close aide to former Phra Phrom Methee.
The three Lao nationals, whose names were not released, are still on the run.
All are wanted for aiding and giving shelter to the former monk as he evaded arrest prior to a raid at the temple on May 24. They could be fined up to 40,000 baht or imprisoned for up to two years, or both, if found guilty.
Another monk at Wat Pa Sukhontharak in Nakhon Phanom's Renu Nakhon district was not named on the arrest warrants, contrary to expectations. The Toyota van that was believed to have taken former Phra Phom Methee out of Bangkok was seen at the temple.
Mrs Sasiorn is a major shareholder of Tongkah Harbour Plc, owning a 2.90% stake of the mining firm, the Stock Exchange of Thailand website shows. She and her family reportedly have other business interests. She was arrested at the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge linking Nakhon Phanom and Khammouane province of Laos on May 31.
Nakhon Phanom police chief Pol Maj Gen Suwichan Yankittikul said provincial police were ready to act on the arrest warrants but refused to go into details. (continues below)
Three immigration police officers at the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in Nakhon Phanom are reportedly being probed for allegedly helping the former monk flee Thailand. (Photo by Pattanapong Sripiachai)
Police sources said Pol Gen Chakthip had ordered a disciplinary probe into three immigration police at the bridge after evidence showed the former monk had left for Laos at 9.30pm on May 24. He crossed the bridge border by car with help from Mrs Sasiorn, according to the sources, and the female suspect arranged for the monk's passport to be processed at the time.
The former assistant abbot, whose layman name is Chamnong Iamnitra, is in Frankfurt, Germany, after being detained by German immigration authorities at Frankfurt airport. He is reportedly claiming asylum in Germany.
Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Pol Lt Gen Charnthep Saesawet on Thursday confirmed that Pol Gen Chakthip had returned from Frankfurt alone on Wednesday, leaving other senior Thai police officers to attempt to bring him back to face charges of temple fund embezzlement.