The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will decide what action will be taken after the prosecution decides late this month whether to indict Phra Dhammajayo in connection with the multi-billion baht Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative (KCUC) embezzlement scandal.
DSI director-general Paisit Wongmuang said the agency will assess the situation and decide if it should seek a warrant to search the temple for a second time after the prosecution decides on the case on Aug 30.
The DSI's first attempt to arrest the embattled abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, who has repeatedly failed to acknowledge the charges, failed in June after the monk's supporters gathered at the temple in Pathum Thani's Khlong Luang district and refused to make way for DSI officials who wanted to search the temple.
The agency plans to carry out another search but authorities have not yet revealed any details.
Phra Dhammajayo faces an arrest warrant on charges of money laundering and receiving stolen property in connection with the KCUC embezzlement scandal. The DSI has wrapped up the probe and presented the case to prosecutors.
Commenting on the fresh arrest warrant against Phra Dhammajayo issued by the Loei provincial court this week, the DSI chief said police can arrest the abbot on sight but the DSI believes the monk is still in the temple's compound.
The Loei court granted the warrant on Tuesday after a police probe found Wat Dhammakaya's meditation facility in Loei's Phu Rua encroached on a forest reserve.
According to the investigation, the meditation facility encroaches on 45 rai of the Phu Peuy, Phu Kitao and Phu Rua forest reserves. This area was illegally drawn as part of a Nor Sor Sam Gor land ownership document, covering 129 rai, which was issued under Phra Dhammajayo's name.
The investigation report is expected to be forwarded to prosecutors for indictment next month, according to local police.
Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya said the DSI and the police may jointly ask a court to approve a warrant to search the temple to bring in the abbot.
