The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has decided to summon the controversial abbot of Wat Dhammakaya for questioning on May 16 after the Criminal Court rejected a request for an arrest warrant yesterday.
Phra Dhammachayo failed to turn up to a meeting with the DSI on Monday.
The court ruled that the abbot is ill and has not shown any intention to flee the country.
The request for an arrest warrant came after the abbot failed to appear at DSI headquarters to answer three charges: conspiracy in money laundering, money laundering, and theft.
Phra Dhammachayo was reportedly too sick to meet with the DSI.
The charges are related to the alleged Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative embezzlement scandal, which involved billions of baht.
The monk allegedly is one of the recipients of 878 cheques worth a combined THB11 billion paid by former cooperative chairman Supachai Srisupa-aksorn.
If he fails to show up again on May 16, another request for his arrest will be sought from the court, reported Thai PBS.
Furthermore, Justice Minister Gen. Phaiboon Khumchaya yesterday pleaded with the media to stop focusing so much of their attention on Phra Dhammachayo, saying the case he is facing is normal and will be treated accordingly.
Phaiboon said the claim of ill health made by the temple and the monk’s doctors might be true and a special committee comprising of DSI and state prosecutors are dealing with the monk’s case and they will follow normal procedures.
Meanwhile, Matichon reported that the DSI sent undercover officers to Dhammakaya Temple on April 22 (three days before the trial) were they filmed Phra Dhammachayo interacting with his disciples normally and he did not show any signs of sickness.
