PATHUM THANI - Heavy vehicles were parked across the entrance of Wat Phra Dhammakaya on Friday, blocking access by Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officers should they try to arrest abbot Phra Dhammajayo, who has repeatedly failed to report to acknowledge charges against him.
The temple has closed its main entrance on the Bang Khan-Nong Sua Road since Thursday night.
A backhoe and a grader were parked in front of another gate on Liap Khlong Sam Road in tambon Khlong Sam in Khlong Suang district of Pathum Thani, which is near the Daodueng Building in the temple grounds, where the embattled abbot was being treated for his reported ailments.
Followers of the temple were deployed to guard the area inside and outside the temple, with motorcycle riders patrolling the venue around the clock.
Dhammakaya monks were seen sitting inside the temple to welcome crowds of followers.
The temple’s move was seen as an attempt to block DSI officers from arresting Phra Dhammajayo after he failed to turn himself in to investigators to acknowledge charges against against him before Thursday’s deadline expired.
The abbot is accused of laundering money and receiving stolen property worth 1.2 billion baht in connection with the 12-billion-baht Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative embezzlement case.