DSI suspends search of Wat Dhammakaya after encountering resistance from followers

[snoop1130]

DSI suspends search of Wat Dhammakaya after encountering resistance from followers

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has decided to stop the search for Phra Dhammachayo after its officers accompanied by police, local and security officials were met with a human wall of faithful followers who refused them entry to the inner sanctum of Wat Dhammakaya where the embattled abbot was believed to have taken refuge.

All the officials, numbering about 20, pulled out of the temple on Thursday afternoon.

Phra Sanitwong Wutthiwangso, director of the communications office of Wat Dhammakaya, claimed that the temple was cooperative with the DSI by allowing the officials to enter the temple’s compound.

However, he said that several followers who were forming a human shield inside Gate 5 refused to let the officials in to conduct the search. He added that he had tried unsuccessfully to convince to change their mind and he had to accept their judgement because they were with the temple before him.

At about 1.30 pm Pol Maj Suriya Singhakamon, deputy director-general of the DSI, held a press conference in front of Gate 7 in the presence of Phra Sanitwong and representatives of the National Buddhism Office.

Pol Maj Suriya told the media that the DSI had tried to perform its duty in a peaceful manner “without carrying arms, without armored cars and without resorting to violence”.

He said that the DSI had received only partial cooperation and managed to enter the temple’s ground until arriving at Gate 5 where its officials met with resistance from followers who denied them further entry.

However, he added that officials had taken pictures of those who obstructed the officials in their attempt to make the search and would deal with them later on.

The DSI deputy chief said that the media had witnessed the happenings today and should be fully aware of the truth. He also dismissed the temple’s claim that it was fully cooperative with the DSI in the search of the temple. “But the truth does not match with the words,” he noted.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/dsi-suspends-search-wat-dhammakaya-encountering-resistance-followers/

-- Thai PBS 2016-06-2016

[nikmar]

truly bizarre.

[Laughing Gravy]

So the special, yes special division of the police, fail to carry out their public duty for which they are paid. Truly amazing.

[iReason]

Come back in force, arrest them all and charge every one of them with obstruction of justice.

Seems logical to me...

[Sunderland]

TIT has never been more appropriate than today.

There is no consistency or real framework of law here. It is all improvised and used according to those whom it best suits and serves, which is certainly not the public at large.

[CanInBKK]

I see a constant stream of posters on this forum advocating the use of force to arrest an unwilling suspect in the midst of his own barricades and innocent followers (innocent of criminal charges). This is not much different from Waco, Texas and I think we all remember how that one turned out.

I still have faith in the government (more than any preceding one) that the job will get done but it's a sensitive issue which doesn't need a "shoot first, ask questions later " mentality

[sweatalot]

If this is not a gigantic loss of face ...

and btw. why don't they ask the military for help?

Recently we saw police getting more effective with military help

[tomacht8]

Phra Sanitwong Wutthiwangso, director of the communications office of Wat Dhammakaya, claimed that the temple was cooperative with the DSI by allowing the officials to enter the temple’s compound.

Despite existing arrest warrant and search warrant?
Incredible.

[OMGWTFBBQDISSHITCRAY]

I see a constant stream of posters on this forum advocating the use of force to arrest an unwilling suspect in the midst of his own barricades and innocent followers (innocent of criminal charges). This is not much different from Waco, Texas and I think we all remember how that one turned out.

I still have faith in the government (more than any preceding one) that the job will get done but it's a sensitive issue which doesn't need a "shoot first, ask questions later " mentality

Population control, culling, collateral damage or call it whatever one desires, is probably unavoidable in situations as such.

Give it a couple of months and no one in Thailand will vaguely recall this incident.

[Siripon]

The last poster saying no one in Thailand will remember this case in 2 months is dead wrong. Wat Thammakai has many supporters, especially among he red shirts. an all out assault on the temple resulting in violence, injuries and death would play right into the hands of Tammachayo and Thaksin who would run crying crocodile tears to the world about the slaughter of peaceful Buddhist pilgrims.

The DSI and the government are doing it all right so far, showing the public they are giving the extremely rich abbot every opportunity to defend himself against the very serious charges, now he's played his final card, there is no justice under a junta. Nice try but unfortunately the money transfers tell a similar story regardless of who is in power.

This case is not going away..

[brommers]

Rotf. All the police and security forces do not have even one testicle between them. I am going to get myself a saffron robe and break every law possible because I will be untouchable.

[Sunderland]

The media is now reporting that the DSI will apply to the court for a new search warrant. It was extremely shortsighted to have a warrant only valid for today.

What with this and a call yesterday to decriminalize the use of methamphetamines, it seems like all the adults have gone on permanent vacation and left nursery level kids in charge of running government agencies paid for by taxpayers. Absolutely comical.

[Artisi]

Useless, ineffective, incompetent, etc., etc., what more can you say other than there is no more to say.

[Chang_paarp]

I still think a siege would make more sense, starve the so and so out. am the mobile phone, cut water cut the power allow anyone out (except the abbot) but no one in.

As another tactic, the police must have a few Muslim and Christian members who are not as beholden to the Buddhist hierarchy to steam roller over the "human shield".

[OMGWTFBBQDISSHITCRAY]

The last poster saying no one in Thailand will remember this case in 2 months is dead wrong. Wat Thammakai has many supporters, especially among he red shirts. an all out assault on the temple resulting in violence, injuries and death would play right into the hands of Tammachayo and Thaksin who would run crying crocodile tears to the world about the slaughter of peaceful Buddhist pilgrims.

The DSI and the government are doing it all right so far, showing the public they are giving the extremely rich abbot every opportunity to defend himself against the very serious charges, now he's played his final card, there is no justice under a junta. Nice try but unfortunately the money transfers tell a similar story regardless of who is in power.

This case is not going away..

I'd love to be wrong and this case stays in the limelight, who will say no to more slapstick Thai comedy?

I'm all for the laughs Thailand is providing, great alternative to the usual Euro/American focused nonsense.

[Prbkk]

There can be little doubt that this lot would indeed drink the Kool Aid if requested to do so by the abbot.

[Wilsonandson]

For those who wish to read and see video of the events of today at the U.F.O temple pls go to this link:-

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?/topic/925322-Tension-run-high-today-as-DSI-attempts-to-search-Dhammakaya-temple-looking-for-the-abbot

[Rayk]

Come back in force, arrest them all and charge every one of them with obstruction of justice.

Seems logical to me...

I think we are beyond that now.

I recommend they go in with guns blazing.

[taony]

They got there first so the police couldn't go in! This is the funniest thing i ever heard!!!! 5555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555

[Siripon]

The last poster saying no one in Thailand will remember this case in 2 months is dead wrong. Wat Thammakai has many supporters, especially among he red shirts. an all out assault on the temple resulting in violence, injuries and death would play right into the hands of Tammachayo and Thaksin who would run crying crocodile tears to the world about the slaughter of peaceful Buddhist pilgrims.

The DSI and the government are doing it all right so far, showing the public they are giving the extremely rich abbot every opportunity to defend himself against the very serious charges, now he's played his final card, there is no justice under a junta. Nice try but unfortunately the money transfers tell a similar story regardless of who is in power.

This case is not going away..

I'd love to be wrong and this case stays in the limelight, who will say no to more slapstick Thai comedy?

I'm all for the laughs Thailand is providing, great alternative to the usual Euro/American focused nonsense.

You will be wrong and this nonsense pales against the buffoon with aspirations to the presidency in America who' tells it like it is' every day,making up lies with ludicrous claims and impossible actions.

[BSJ]

I am confused......DSI....does that stand for Dead Set Idiots???

[ratcatcher]

Rotf. All the police and security forces do not have even one testicle between them. I am going to get myself a saffron robe and break every law possible because I will be untouchable.

Here's some advice.

[halloween]

Keep showing up, every couple of days, doesn't cost much. Each time they rush around, putting up barricades, and supporters racing in to support the abbot. But after each false alarm, the efforts will be slacker and fewer supporters will leave their jobs/homes to give support.

2 or 3 am could be a good time for visits, with slower response and more strain. When the numbers dwindle to manageable, then you make a big push.

[Wilsonandson]

My prediction for tomorrow!

Send the girl's in.

[Siripon]

My prediction for tomorrow!

Send the girl's in.

No use, the temple is using lay followers as barricades, mainly women in white robes. The monks hide behind them.

[MorristheRunt]

PR stunt, never any intention to get the dodgy monk.

They never will get him, he has far too much cash, to the police and courts it will be like Christmas has come early.

[nausea]

I think you've all got it wrong. This has now become very political.

[moe666]

This monk is too connected to Thaksin and the red shirts to be given a free pass. You guys keep slagging the DSI but if things go to s--t they can all say we tried everything to make this as peaceful as possible, we gave the monk every leway possible. but his followers would not move. Our condolences to the dead and wounded

[kaorop]

I see a constant stream of posters on this forum advocating the use of force to arrest an unwilling suspect in the midst of his own barricades and innocent followers (innocent of criminal charges). This is not much different from Waco, Texas and I think we all remember how that one turned out.

I still have faith in the government (more than any preceding one) that the job will get done but it's a sensitive issue which doesn't need a "shoot first, ask questions later " mentality

Did you ask the pensioners playing bridge who were stormed by 30 or so armed officials

and who were locked up and forces to pay bail

how that felt and turned out?

Or how a few students who went to HuaHin by train got treated?

So the question is: In your books its okay for some but not for others?

This is nothing more than a massive fail on a massive scale, that undermines any steps forward that this country sorely needs.

[baboon]

My prediction for tomorrow!

Send the girl's in.

I have no doubt that a bullet from one of these women's firearms could terminally spoil one's day, but has consideration not been given to the prospect that those they are called upon to shoot/take into custody might present their objections by firing at their heads?