June 16 2016
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 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 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.