Wat Dhammakaya now at maximum security alert

[webfact]

Dhammakaya now at maximum security alert



BANGKOK: -- Wat Dhammakaya now seems to become a military barrack rather than a Buddhist temple after the controversial abbot's followers erected barbed wire fence on the temple walls, floated surveillance balloon, increased new closed circuit cameras, set up more road barricades, and deployed more security personnel on ground as they feared that the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) may storm in to arrest their abbot, Phra Dhammachayo.

The increased security measure is on top of the existing tightened security which include blocking main entrance to the temple with backhoe tractors, zoning road security with several steps of checkpoints within the temple ground to the place where the abbot is staying, and sealing all gates in and out of the temple.

Nobody will be allowed except those granted permits by the temple.

The increased security did not surprise a large contingent of reporters present at the Dhammakaya temple yesterday and today to keep up with developments involving the controversial abbot.

What they saw was dramatically increased safety from previous days are the several backhoe tractors and power poles being employed as obstacles to prevent entry.

On top of this, higher barbed wire fencing has been placed on the tops of the temple walls and also clearly visible were new closed-circuit cameras that have been installed at strategic locations.

A balloon equipped with a camera to capture developments has also been floated from the temple’s ground to serve as an added precaution.

A strong force of security personnel has also been posted at the main entrance allowing only persons allowed by the temple officials to enter.

The temple’s PR officer Phra Maha Nopporn Punyachayo revealed at a press conference yesterday that the increased security measures were ordered to prevent ill-intention third-parties from taking advantage of the situation to make trouble.

But he assured that officials from the DSI would be allowed to enter the temple grounds if they wish.

At the same conference, a personal spokesman of the abbot also raised questions over the legality of the case against the abbot Phra Dhammachayo.

He claimed that all damage compensation payments have already been paid to members of the Klong Chan Credit Union Cooperative embezzlement case and that legal case should be settled.

He went on to say that as negotiations were underway between the abbot and the DSI to allow them to enter temple grounds to talk with the abbot, but the authority’s preparations of an assault team equipped with helicopters was thus too extreme and unnecessary.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/165524


-- Thai PBS 2016-06-01

[Raymonddiaz]

Some hi so people need adjustment sessions but we are so scared ? to get them.waiting the abbot to die for to make an arrest.

[ChrisY1]

This attitude is exactly why Thailand will continue to have issues with the masses when they gather.....seen at Swampy and the 2010 red shirt revolt...and the PDRC fiasco...the authorities continually bumble along in their inept attitude and cannot make decisions to quash this nonsense.

This current revolt against the rule of law, obviously overuled by religion, must be stopped.

Edited June 1, 2016 by ChrisY1

[Chang_paarp]

Sounds like a perfect set-up to lay siege to the temple, nothing in, nothing out, power, water, phones cut, I'm sure the prison dept will lend a mobile phone jammer to help the cause. Lets see how long before they change their tune.

[asiaexpat]

Is this Thai style Dhamma? Why does this so called Monk need such protection. This is certainly not the middle way.

[taony]

Nice army, I feel safe.

[Berty100]

Wat Dhammakaya now seems to become a military barrack rather than a Buddhist temple after the controversial abbot's followers erected barbed wire fence on the temple walls, floated surveillance balloon, increased new closed circuit cameras, set up more road barricades, and deployed more security personnel on ground

And paid for all that with the fraudulent received money from the Klong Chan credit union.

Edited June 1, 2016 by Berty100

[NongKhaiKid]

Wonder how the PM feels having such a major challenge to his authority and regime to deal with ?

Oh maybe he doesn't know much about what with his head being buried so deep in the sand.

[tomacht8]

I wonder where all the money is.

[Prbkk]

Reminiscent of Waco. Hope it doesn't end badly for the innocents involved.

[Ichabod]

Since no one has seen the abbot lately, he has probably already disappeared. Or been allowed to disappear.

[Somtamnication]

Go in, arms blazing.

[WhizBang]

Just bring in the bulldozers and level the place.

[WhizBang]

Wonder how the PM feels having such a major challenge to his authority and regime to deal with ?

Oh maybe he doesn't know much about what with his head being buried so deep in the sand.

Not in the sand, more likely up some ho-so's ass.

[WhizBang]

Sounds like a perfect set-up to lay siege to the temple, nothing in, nothing out, power, water, phones cut, I'm sure the prison dept will lend a mobile phone jammer to help the cause. Lets see how long before they change their tune.

You are assuming anybody is actually going to act, beyond sitting around and talking.

[gandalf12]

They should just go into the Wat and arrest anyone who offers resistance. They wont of course but it is nice to think as to what would happen in the real world

[ourmanflint]

What next? The monks will take up arms to defend their supreme leader?

[waldroj]

The DSI should consider a surgical strike to remove the malignant tumour.

[halloween]

The wat appears to be turning into a prison, only time served won't count.

[Winniedapu]

This attitude is exactly why Thailand will continue to have issues with the masses when they gather.....seen at Swampy and the 2010 red shirt revolt...and the PDRC fiasco...the authorities continually bumble along in their inept attitude and cannot make decisions to quash this nonsense.

This current revolt against the rule of law, obviously overuled by religion, must be stopped.

Well, perhaps if you ask them to run into some bullets?

That might work... worked once it'll work twice - right?

Winnie

[Winniedapu]

The DSI should consider a surgical strike to remove the malignant tumour.

surgical strike.jpg

No need to confuse them with metaphors. Thais don't understand metaphors.

Fortunately,, confusing them is pretty easy, just stand them in a barrel and tell them ti pi$$ in the corner.

Works every time.

Winnie

[Winniedapu]

They should just go into the Wat and arrest anyone who offers resistance. They wont of course but it is nice to think as to what would happen in the real world

I would quite like to see what would happen in the Thai world. I suspect it would not be pretty; Thais are showing signs of being fed up to the back teeth with Kim and his hangers-on.

Winnie

[Baerboxer]

What next? The monks will take up arms to defend their supreme leader?

Wow - just like the sparrows defending the grand sparrow on game of thrones. Only he hadn't been scamming a fortune,

[steveyinasia]

All this to protect an "innocent" monk. Does not seem all that innocent to me going to these extraordinary lengths to avoid talking to the police.

[rebelplatoon]

Wat Dhammakaya has officially, and long ago, been declared a sect. Its teachings have placed itself firmly outside of Theravada Buddhism. The idea of going to heaven when one places (an overly expensive Buddha statue) inside the chedi, just being one of many controversies. As you can see; clearly not a fan. On the other hand if -after having been told the funds were ill gotten- those funds have been returned I do believe this media circus is a bit overdone. Phra Dhammachaiyo: for the sake of - your secterian- Buddhism, give yourself up. It was already far removed from buddhist teachings, now it's a blemish.

[waldroj]

Rebelplatoon,

The following link makes interesting reading: http://www.dhammakaya.eu/dhammachai-day-27th-august/

[BuckBee]

DSI needs offer ultimatum & when not met joint effort with army to storm place & arrest all .

Until Thailands shows some balls it will remain the toilet gutter joke it is, think the pm lacking in family jewels & gumption as this corruption & illegal mob is well off his lovely road map. Most other countries would of nipped this in bud before escalated & temple turned into a castle :-S it just rediculous & proof of incompetence, nepotism & corruption beyond belief even for this sewer of a country ...

Edited June 1, 2016 by BuckBee

[silent]

They should just go into the Wat and arrest anyone who offers resistance. They wont of course but it is nice to think as to what would happen in the real world

The real world?

Maybe the PM's one of few with a grip seeing it get comparable to the hunt for Bin Laden even before anything like a grand jury. Possibly some are more worried about arms getting planted on temple grounds by third party non-Buddhists now than anything else. I'd sure as hell be.

Edited June 1, 2016 by silent

[BigBadGeordie]

Spotted entering the temple grounds today.

[sujoop]

DSI needs offer ultimatum & when not met joint effort with army to storm place & arrest all .

Until Thailands shows some balls it will remain the toilet gutter joke it is, think the pm lacking in family jewels & gumption as this corruption & illegal mob is well off his lovely road map. Most other countries would of nipped this in bud before escalated & temple turned into a castle :-S it just rediculous & proof of incompetence, nepotism & corruption beyond belief even for this sewer of a country ...

Ultimatums and using force are likely exactly what a certain opportunist wants to accelerate/inflame this precarious situation (we've seen this play many times since 2006 and it never ends well, usually involving multiple innocent pawns/casualties). The General is wisely erring on the side of caution as the group backing this allegedly corrupt Monk has done wet-work before and this standoff has all the ingredients to get ugly quickly if not handled extremely carefully.

This excerpt from a former Monk at the temple who resigned:

================

-In the senatorial elections of 2000, Dhammajayo supported candidates with links to the Thai Rak Thai Party. The former abbot of Phra Dhammakaya Temple was the first one to initiate contact with members of Thai Rak Thai. It was decided that the Thai Rak Thai Party would have Dhammakaya's backing. Thai Rak Thai representatives were given the opportunity to speak to the temple's followers, who were urged to cast their votes for the party, as it would naturally be beneficial for their master and temple.

Thaksin Shinawatra was hailed as the ideal lay Buddhist, who had been blessed by the merit of his past lives and was endowed with a great many virtues. The temple played a song praising Thaksin composed by the Phra Dhammajayo himself on its Dow Tham satellite television channel - broadcasting 24 hours a day.

The Thai Rak Thai-Phra Dhammakaya Temple relationship proved mutually beneficial. It allowed the Thai Rak Thai Party to promote itself with greater efficiency. Phra Dhammakaya Temple also began broadcasts on Dow Tham. Using a massive budget and having recruited qualified personnel - all inspired by the Doctrine of Dhammakaya - the satellite television channel produced a series of programmes, enriched with computerised images and attractive animations, thus capturing the eyes of the younger generation.

Never before in its history was the temple able to expand its powers so quickly. The temple was able to significantly build up its local, national and international networks after Thai Rak Thai came to power.

For Phra Dhammajayo, victory for the Thai Rak Thai was the equivalent of a victory of his own, and votes for that party were the same as votes for the security of his temple.

Followers of Phra Dhammakaya Temple and Thaksin believe that the alliance between the two serves their best interests.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/09/27/opinion/opinion_30014752.php

============

-Interestingly, Phra Dhammachayo’s capitalistic version of Buddhism meshes well with the rich and powerful, and others who think it is simply great to be able to buy a place in heaven.

At the height of the controversy in 1999, the late Supreme Patriarch issued an ordinance declaring that Phra Dhammachayo must be defrocked for distorting the Buddhist canon, dividing the Sangha, and for fraud and embezzlement.

It is no secret that the Pheu Thai-led government supports the Dhammakaya abbot. And it came as no surprise that the public prosecutors eventually dropped the charges against him in 2006.

http://2bangkok.com/thaksins-temple-dhammakaya.html

==============

-Controversial politician Jatuporn Promphan has warned of a big public protest if Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha does not put forward the name of Somdet Phra Maha Ratchamangalacharn (aka Somdet Chuang) as a candidate for supreme patriarch.

Somdet Chuang was a mentor to Phra Dhammachayo of the Wat Dhammakaya sect. He is seen as a big supporter of Phra Dhammachayo in all his unorthodox and controversial behaviour.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Jatuporn-backing-wrong-candidate-30276699.html

===============

Conclusion:

Currently Red-shirt leader Jatuporn / pro-Thaksin side is promoting the allegedly aligned & corrupt Monk's mentor to become the new supreme patriarch of all Thai Buddhists... This could cause great division in society (and possibly spark worse if a showdown is forced or 'manufactured' by a 'third' hand) all around a time of pending uncertainty.

One side likely sees a win either way - if their allegedly aligned side gets appointed = Win. Global news stories of Junta backed forces and bloodied Monks = Win (and it would only take one 'third hand' to kick it off). Thus, this a highly dangerous situation which could be exploited so easily and absolutely must be handled with extreme care.

Edited June 1, 2016 by sujoop