Phra Dhamma-chayo fails to show up for DSI questioning, citing sickness

[webfact]

Phra Dhamma-chayo fails to show up for questioning, citing sickness



BANGKOK: - Phra Dhamma-chayo, the abbot of Wat Dhammakaya temple, again refused to show up at the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) for questioning claiming he was suffering from diabetes and other illnesses.

The abbot instead designated his legal representatives be questioned on his behalf by DSI officials at the temple.

Phra Dhamma-chayo is wanted for questioning over allegations that he had received cheques from the former chairman of the Klong Chan Credit Union Cooperative as donations.

DSI chief investigator Pol Lt Col Pakorn Sucheewakun, who heads the investigative team looking into the finances of the famous temple, stated that two warrants have already been issued for Phra Dhamma-Chaiyo to appear for questioning at 10.00 am yesterday.

The abbot however asked that his legal representatives appear on his behalf for questioning at Wat Dhammakaya temple instead.

Authorities wanted to question the abbot for allegations that he had received cheques in the form of donations from Supphachai Srisupha-Aksorn, the former chairman of the Klong Chan Credit Union Cooperative under suspicious circumstances.

Phra Dhamma-Chayo cited illness stating that he had swollen feet from clogged arteries in his left leg and was also suffering from diabetes to excuse himself from interrogation.

But DSI investigators has rejected his request to appear at the temple stating that doing so was inappropriate.

However they stated that they would be willing to hold the interview at alternative venues such as the Klong Luang Police Station or other government offices.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/phra-dhamma-chayo-fails-to-show-up-for-questioning-citing-sickness


-- Thai PBS 2015-06-04

[NickJ]

vile.

[bapak]

I have diabetes and "other illnesses. Invite me and I wil gladly attend.

[thesetat2013]

Funny how these people always seem to have an excuse which conveniently coincides with the dates they are wanted for questioning for criminal activities. I hope if ever I get into trouble while in Thailand I can find such reasons not to show up to the police station to be questioned. There certainly is enough precedence to justify failing to appear even if I am just busy shopping.

[toybits]

must be related to that family that would that beverage drink with the red animal logo.

[uty6543]

Send a police doctor to verify his condition and if he is fit to question take him to a police station. If he is not fit take him, by ambulance, to the police hospital give him the necessary treatment until he is fit for questioning. Either way he should be arrested. It's that simple.

[Anthony5]

Wishing a speedy recovery of the Abbott's health, hope he recovers before the statute of limitations expires.

[Pimay1]

If he is in that bad of shape surely he has a solid gold wheelchair he could use.

[Anthony5]

Send a police doctor to verify his condition and if he is fit to question take him to a police station. If he is not fit take him, by ambulance, to the police hospital give him the necessary treatment until he is fit for questioning. Either way he should be arrested. It's that simple.

Last time they tried that, they had to go with a whole army battalion.

[worgeordie]

Still be fit enough to count money ,I think.

regards Worgeordie

[ldiablo]

The german guy who had the swollen legs had no troubles getting around Bangkok and Pattaya partying it up so I'm sure if Phra Dhamma-chayo wanted to prove his innocence he would gladly attend.

[poohy]

Prisons have hospitals! what's the problem Mr. monk?

[AleG]

Swollen feet? They want him to answer questions, not inviting him to a dance.

[klauskunkel]

somebody give this man an amulet...

[Reigntax]

Swollen feet? They want him to answer questions, not inviting him to a dance.

But one of those feet may be in his mouth to avoid shooting himself in the foot.

[Queenslander]

Why do I doubt that his medical problems will prevent him going to Singapore to attend to some business…or Laos or Cambodia for a Buddhist conference…

[webfact]

DSI officials question Phra Dhammachayo



BANGKOK: -- Enquiry officials of the Department of Special Investigation managed to question Phra Dhammachayo, abbot of Wat Dhamakaya, at the temple this afternoon (Thursday).

The DSI officials were led by Pol Col Paisit Wongmuang, DSI deputy director-general. And the abbot was interrogated in his capacity as a witness in the Klongchan Credit Union scam.

The DSI officials were accompanied by a large group of reporters but none of them were allowed to witness the questioning. But the temple’s public relations monk said that the temple would provide some clippings of the interrogation session and a press release for the media after the session.

Members of the media were however given a smiling welcome by about followers of the temple although they were not allowed to cover the interrogation session.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/dsi-officials-question-phra-dhammachayo


-- Thai PBS 2015-06-04

[z42]

Absolute scumbag. Arrest his sorry carcass. How can illness affect somebody's ability to answer questions i wonder.....

[The Deerhunter]

Red card NOW!!!

[khaowong1]

Ah.. The old, make them come to you, don't let them see you sweat ploy.

[Rhys]

Someone forgot to tell the DUBE.... that here will be paid a per diem... Such a poor example of the cloth and someone ripping off the masses...

[pisico]

Send a police doctor to verify his condition and if he is fit to question take him to a police station. If he is not fit take him, by ambulance, to the police hospital give him the necessary treatment until he is fit for questioning. Either way he should be arrested. It's that simple.

Arrest? An Abbot? That would go against Thainess.

The ploy of becoming a monk to avoid justice has been going on since the times of Suryiothai.

The louis Vuiton monk still living his posh life after taking a paltry 10 million dollars (compared to the take of this Abbot) and the famous Bikhuni, or female monk, still driving the "donated' (wink, wink-nudge, nudge) Porsche Cayenne.

Is not that simple to arrest a monk in Thailand who has such enormous wealth, connections and influence.

Thainess: convoluted and mysterious... Living here one would think this is a Franz Kafka novel.

[Strangebrew]

I would have said no problem I'll send a team to question you there just rest and recover.

[DM07]

You couldn't make this sh... up, if you tried really, really hard!

[Srikcir]

Still, this slick excuse doesn't top Suthep's excuse for not appearing before the court on charges of murder in the 2010 anti-government protests gainst the Abhisit-Suthep regime.

He said he was too busy leading anti-government protests against the Yingluck regime and didn't have the time to appear in court.

Thailand is the land of silliness excuses - LOSE

[FireMedic]

Someone needs to keep track of all of these. If the time comes when they summon you, it should work as a valid excuse.