Post by Soutpeel on May 28, 2016 8:11:54 GMT 7
Dhammakhaya Sect Goes Into Siege Mode to Protect Fugitive Abbot
BANGKOK — Investigators were left scrambling Friday about how to respond Dhammakaya’ announcement its fugitive leader would not surrender to authorities.
A day after the poweful sect’s abbot refused to turn himself in, the temple went into siege mode Friday morning, surrounding its sprawling complex with thousands of faithful acolytes and barricading the entrances with heavy machinery.
Secular authorities, who hold a warrant for Dhammachayo’s arrest on allegations of fraud, said they will mount an attempt to arrest the abbot without spilling blood.
The caution Friday was highlighted by Justice Minister Paiboon Kumchaya, who said investigators will apply for a search warrant and enter Wat Dhammakaya’s grounds north of Bangkok to arrest Dhammachayo - bit only if resistance seems unlikely.
“Investigators have already performed their duties under their authority,” Painoon said. “And now that there are people who obstruct and do not follow the laws, and will cause unrest and damage beyond our control, it won’t be worth it for us to [arrest Dhammachayo].”
Dhammachayo, 72, is accused by the Department of Special Investigation of embezzling billions of baht from a credit union, whose former chairman is now serving a prison term for massive embezzlement The abbot has rejected the allegation as politically motvated.
After the court approved Dhammachayo’s arrest warrant last week, the investigators’ deadline for the abbot to surrender came and went on Thursday. Dhammachayo’s press office said he was too sick to report to the police station
www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1464355082&typecate=06§ion=
BANGKOK — Investigators were left scrambling Friday about how to respond Dhammakaya’ announcement its fugitive leader would not surrender to authorities.
A day after the poweful sect’s abbot refused to turn himself in, the temple went into siege mode Friday morning, surrounding its sprawling complex with thousands of faithful acolytes and barricading the entrances with heavy machinery.
Secular authorities, who hold a warrant for Dhammachayo’s arrest on allegations of fraud, said they will mount an attempt to arrest the abbot without spilling blood.
The caution Friday was highlighted by Justice Minister Paiboon Kumchaya, who said investigators will apply for a search warrant and enter Wat Dhammakaya’s grounds north of Bangkok to arrest Dhammachayo - bit only if resistance seems unlikely.
“Investigators have already performed their duties under their authority,” Painoon said. “And now that there are people who obstruct and do not follow the laws, and will cause unrest and damage beyond our control, it won’t be worth it for us to [arrest Dhammachayo].”
Dhammachayo, 72, is accused by the Department of Special Investigation of embezzling billions of baht from a credit union, whose former chairman is now serving a prison term for massive embezzlement The abbot has rejected the allegation as politically motvated.
After the court approved Dhammachayo’s arrest warrant last week, the investigators’ deadline for the abbot to surrender came and went on Thursday. Dhammachayo’s press office said he was too sick to report to the police station
www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1464355082&typecate=06§ion=
