The Department of Special Investigation will seek an answer from the National Office of Buddhism whether Wat Dhammakaya should be held accountable for the actions of its followers in obstructing DSI officials from carrying out search of the temple on June 16 to locate the abbot, Phra Dhammachayo.
DSI director-general Pol Col Paisit Wongmuang said Monday that representatives of the NOB were involved with DSI officials and the chief monk of Pathum Thani in the failed search and, for that matter, the NOB in its capacity as the enforcer of the monastic law, should be able to judge whether the temple should be faulted for the actions of its followers.
“The NOB should answer to the society whether the incident which occurred in the Wat Dhammakaya was legal or not in accordance with the monastic law,” said the DSI chief, adding that the DSI had fulfilled its legal obligations and would like relevant agencies to fulfil their obligations too.
Pol Col Paisit disclosed that the DSI would wrap up within July 9 three more case files concerning money laundering charges against Mr Sathaporn Wattanasirinkul, S.W. Holding Company Group (Thailand) and Mr Samphan Sermcheep, a lawyer representing Wat Dhammakaya in connection with Klongchan Credit Union Cooperatives.
Meanwhile, the Anti-Money Laundering Office will hold a meeting on Tuesday to consider possible civil lawsuits against those charged with money laundering.
