Soldiers will join an operation to arrest embattled Phra Dhammajayo, who has just been relieved of duty as the abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) said yesterday.
As officials formulated an ambitious plan to apprehend the 72-year-old monk, his followers yesterday petitioned His Majesty the King to quash all charges brought against the former abbot.
Speaking after the first meeting yesterday of relevant agencies to consolidate plans to apprehend the former abbot, DSI director-general Paisit Wongmuang said the operation will comply with the law and efforts will be made to gauge situations to ward off possible clashes during the arrest.
"Soldiers are also part of the plan to arrest the monk, who intelligence says is still in the temple," Pol Col Paisit said.
Pol Col Paisit also called on the followers of Phra Dhammajayo to help encourage the senior monk enter the judicial process.
Deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul said Phra Dhammajayo must be arrested before he has a chance to leave the country.
He said the temple can mobilise a mass gathering at the facility but devotees must not obstruct officers in the course of their duty, insisting the law will be stringently enforced against them.
He said he was unaware of reports that officials will raid the temple on Tuesday morning.
Pol Gen Srivara said another meeting about the arrest operation will be held again on Monday and it should come up with more details. "Police are 100% ready for the [arrest] operation and will act in accordance with the DSI's request," he said.
Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda had said on Tuesday that the stand-off with Phra Dhammajayo will come to an end within three months.
Phra Dhammajayo has been indicted for allegedly laundering money and receiving stolen property in connection with the multi-billion-baht Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative embezzlement scandal. The case was investigated by the DSI.
The deadline for the former abbot to report to the DSI expired at the end of last month.
Phra Dhammajayo is also facing charges in connection with alleged forest encroachment in the northeastern provinces of Nakhon Ratchasima and Loei.
Meanwhile, Phra Dhammajayo's followers yesterday petitioned His Majesty the King to quash the charges.
According to a statement released yesterday, investigations against Phra Dhammajayo by the DSI and police resulted in Wat Phra Dhammakaya's followers feeling that Phra Dhammajayo and the temple "were being victimised" with unfair charges.
The last hope that the followers have is with the monarch, it says.
The move is needed to end the unlawful prosecutions and prevent officials from harming disciples, most of whom are women and the elderly, according to the statement.
On Thursday, the National Office of Buddhism (NOB) issued an announcement, saying Phra Thep Rattanasuthee, abbot of Wat Khian Khet, in his capacity as Pathum Thani chief monk, had exercised his monastic authority and issued an order dated Dec 5 relieving Phra Dhammajayo of his duties as abbot of the temple on grounds of prolonged illness.
The Pathum Thani chief monk said Phra Dhammajayo was suffering from deep vein thrombosis as a result of diabetes and allergies, and should be relieved of the burden so he could receive medical treatment, the statement said.
Under Section 39 of the Sangha Act, he appointed Phra Dhammajayo as honorary abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya. With this honorary position, Phra Dhammajayo was just a senior monk, not the ruling clergyman at the temple, according to NOB director Phanom Sornsilp.
Phra Khru Wichit Arpakorn, chief monk of tambon Khlong Si, meanwhile, appointed 65-year-old Phra Withet Pawanajarn, who was an assistant abbot, as the acting abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said yesterday the appointment of Phra Dhammajayo as honorary abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya can be done under clergy rules. Those who cannot perform their duty because of illness can be appointed to honorary positions.
Phra Maha Nopporn Punyajayo, assistant director of Wat Phra Dhammakaya's communications team, said the appointment of the acting abbot will have no implications on the judicial process of Phra Dhammajayo's cases.
Prime Minister's Office Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana said he had assigned the NOB to work with the DSI and police in apprehending Phra Dhammajayo.