DSI executes search warrant at Wat Phra Dhammakaya

Officials from the Department of Special Investigation are seen talking with monks inside the grounds of Wat Phra Dhammakaya in Pathum Thani on Thursday morning. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)

PATHUM THANI -- Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officials have arrived at Wat Phra Dhammakaya in Khlong Luang district with a search warrant in a bid to arrest Phra Dhammajayo, the temple's abbot, on charges of money-laundering and receiving stolen property, media reports said.

The DSI officials arrived at gate No 7 of the temple at 9am.

Under the court warrant, they are authorised to search all buildings and structures in the 196-rai compound to look for and arrest Phra Dhammajayo.

After presenting the search warrant to temple staff, the officials went through the steel barricades in front of gate No 7.

They were reportedly led to a reception room for negotiations. No reporters were allowed inside.

Earlier on Thursday morning, four companies totalling about 600 policemen of Region 1 Provincial Police were put on standby at Klong Luang district office to support the DSI's search of Wat Phra Dhammakaya.

Four fire trucks, four ambulances, four police paddy wagons, 15 vehicles for transporting police and a communications vehicle also arrived at Khlong Luang district about 4.30am.

Pol Gen Srivara Rangsibrahmanakul, deputy national police chief, arrived at the meeting hall of Khlong Luang district office about 6am to inspect police readiness. He was accompanied by Pol Lt Gen Chaiwat Ketworachai, commissioner of the Region 1 Provincial Police, and Pol Maj Gen Methi Kusolsang, the deputy commissioner.

Pol Lt Gen Chaiwat said the police were on standby to support the DSI if requested.

It was initially believed the DSI would execute the search warrant and start moving into the temple between 8am - 9am.

Pol Lt Col Somboon Sarasin, deputy director-general of the DSI, said on Wednesday that, according to the plan, the DSI would enter the temple via gate No 7.

Pol Gen Srivara said that, according to reports reaching him, there were about 8,000 Dhammakya disciples wearing white meditating inside the temple. He said anyone who obstructed the operation would be arrested.

He said the search would be carried out under an operational plan codenamed "Korakot 52." There was also alternative plan codenamed "Kabil 59", just in case, he added.

About 9.25am, Phra Sanitwong Wutthiwangso, director of communications for Wat Phra Dhammakaya, said he was willing to cooperate with the DSI to let officials search the compound.

The monk insisted Phra Dhammajayo was still receiving medical treatment at the temple.

Pol Maj Suriya Singhakamol, deputy DSI chief, said after meeting Phra Sanitwong and another temple representative, that his team has already shown the search warrant to the temple representatives. They had agreed to cooperate and allow officials to search for and arrest the suspect.

However, supporters of the monk were refusing to make way for DSI officials so they could search for him, television news reported.

The temple grounds were sea of white, with seated praying devotees refusing to move.

Phra Dhammajayo is wanted under an arrest warrant. The 72-year-old abbot is accused of involvement in money laundering and receiving stolen property worth 1.2 billion baht in connection with the 12-billion-baht embezzlement at Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative. He has denied the charges through spokesmen.