PATHUM THANI -- A senior monk who supervised Wat Phra Dhammakaya’s computer centre for 30 years, says the wanted former abbot fled in a car on Thursday when authorities launched their latest raid on the temple.
Phra Thammasak said Phra Dhammajayo had not gone far because he was too ill to travel.
In a media briefing held at the temple's Gate 5 on Sunday, Phra Thammasak said Phra Dhammajayo was hiding somewhere nearby and he could show the press and authorities the abbot's escape route.
The monk said he wanted to reveal the information to the public because he felt uncomfortable with the temple’s executives after attending a meeting with them on Saturday night about how to respond to the latest raid.
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He said the temple's monks still admired Phra Dhammajayo and would lay down their lives for him. He said the executives wanted a violent confrontation between the security forces and monks and disciples to take place on Sunday afternoon, even though the sect leader had left. They wanted to hold the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) accountable if injuries or loss of life occurred.
Phra Thammasak said he made an audio recording of the meeting but was not ready to release it yet.
“Most monks have never even seen Phra Dhammajayo. Only the top five senior monks have,” he said.
"After I’ve revealed this information I will have to get away from this place."
After the media briefing, Phra Thammasak was escorted to Khlong Luang police station to be questioned about Phra Dhammajayo’s whereabouts.
DSI director-general Paisit Wongmuang earlier issued a summons for 14 senior monks of the temple to report to him at Region 1 Border Patrol Police Bureau in Khlong Luang district at 6pm. None of them had turned up by 8pm.
