Buddhist monks and novices gather to receive alms at Wat Phra Dhammakaya temple in Pathum Thani, outside of Bangkok, on April 22. - REUTERS
BANGKOK: Leading monks of the powerful Dhammakaya Temple agreed on Thursday (June 16) to allow some Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officials to enter the temple and search the premises.
The agreement was reached after DSI deputy chief Suriya Singhakamol held a negotiation with Phra Sanitwong Wutthiwaso, director of the temple's public relations office, and other monks for about 15 minutes.
The two sides held a joint press conference to announce the agreement.
The development came after Thai authorities gave the temple's abbot Phra Dhammachayao an ultimatum - surrender or face arrest. The 72-year-old abbot had repeatedly defied orders to appear before investigators overseeing a major fraud case.
Phra Sanitwong said the DSI officials would be allowed to enter the temple once the monks informed the abbot. He insisted that the abbot was still being treated inside the temple for his chronic ailment.
After the press conference, the monks talked to the lay followers, who were sitting shoulder to shoulder on a road blocking the way, to get them to agree with the decision to allow DSI officials into the temple.
Phra Dhammachayao is accused of conspiring to launder money by accepting cash stolen from a credit union. His followers, however, claim they are victims of a conspiracy to tar the temple's reputation.
The case centres on Supachai Srisupa-aksorn, who was jailed for 16 years in March for his role in an embezzlement case involving more than 11 billion baht (S$425 million) from Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative, which he used to head.
DSI officials said Supachai made out cheques worth more than 1 billion baht to various parties linked to the temple. Temple officials said it is inappropriate to question the source of the numerous donations the temple receives. - THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
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