DSI fails to arrest Phra Dhammajayo (Updated)

Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officials arrived at Wat Dhammakaya temple in Khlong Luang district with a search warrant in a bid to arrest Phra Dhammajayo, but gave up after hours of resistance from temple supporters.

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15:30 Media sources are reporting that DSI officials have given up their attempt to arrest Phra Dhammajayo today. Temple officials say they cooperated fully, but civilian disciples prevented the DSI from carrying out their mission. 

Bangkok Post video from this morning showing how much resistance, peaceful resistance, there was among Wat Dhammakaya supporters and monks.

Here is more from our online reporters:

The end of the search was announced by Pol Col Suriya Singhakamol, the DSI deputy director-general, at a press conference at 1.30pm.  Also present at the conference were Khlong Luang police and senior monks of Wat Phra Dhammakaya.

Pol Col Suriya said the search was called off because of several factors – the rain, the large number of Phra Dhammajayo's disciples who sat in the rain mediating all over the compound, and unclear information about the exact whereabouts of the abbot.

The deputy DSI chief said the mission had not been completed and officials still had the authority to act under a court warrant to arrest Phra Dhammajayo, who his disciples claimed has long been sick.

 He said the DSI would report to the court in detail about the problems authorities  encountered during the failed search.  The DSI would leave it to the court to decide futher action, he said.

"I believe all members of the media have witnessed what the DSI has done, and how the (Dhammajayo) disciples  responded.  We have adhered to the principle of maintaining law and order.  All units taking part in the search today have tried to avoid confrontation," Pol Col Suriya said.

He said the authorities had taken pictures of what could be construed as obstruction of  DSI officials  and police doing their duty.  Outside the temple compound,  police had taken legal action against people in 14 cases, he added.

Noon:  A small group of DSI and other officials was allowed into the temple, but supporters of Phra Dhammajayo refused to allow them to go further, say the abbot was too ill to see them. Later, a supporter announced that the abbot would only surrender to police when the country had been returned to democratic rule. Negotiations are continuing, however.

DSI executes search warrant at Wat Dhammakaya

Online reporters

PATHUM THANI – Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officials have arrived at Wat Dhammakaya temple 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.

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 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 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.

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